In commemoration of the 2023 World Heart Day, the Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced the Cardiac Emergency Response Box, also known as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), to address heart emergencies, including cardiac arrest.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, inaugurated three of these devices in Abuja.
The theme for World Heart Day is “Use Heart, Know Heart,” and it aims to raise awareness about the importance of heart health and promote preventive measures against heart diseases globally.
The AEDs, which were donated by the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), will be deployed to high-population areas such as airports. AEDs are portable, life-saving medical devices used to revive individuals experiencing sudden cardiac arrests.
Prof. Ali Pate emphasized the vital role of the heart in the body, responsible for pumping blood to all parts.
He highlighted the significant global burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which are the leading non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and cause an estimated 17.9 million deaths annually, with 85 percent of CVD-related deaths attributed to heart attacks and strokes.
In Nigeria, NCDs, including CVDs, account for 29 percent of all deaths, with CVDs responsible for 11 percent of NCD-related deaths.
Pate stressed that the morbidity and mortality associated with CVDs are often underestimated due to limited awareness, healthcare-seeking behaviors, and inadequate screening and diagnostic services.
The minister outlined several risk factors for heart disease, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, tobacco use, and more, noting that these factors are largely preventable through lifestyle modifications.
The federal government has implemented various interventions to address CVDs, including the National NCDs Policy and Multi-Sectoral Action Plan and the National Tobacco Control Act, aimed at reducing tobacco consumption.
Additionally, the National Hypertension Control Initiative (NHCI) focuses on strengthening primary healthcare centers for the prevention and management of hypertension.
To maintain heart health, Nigerians are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles, including regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco use, limiting alcohol intake, and consuming a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Routine monitoring of blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels is also recommended.
The introduction of AEDs is part of ongoing efforts to improve heart health and respond to cardiac emergencies in public places and institutions, including airports, banks, offices, malls, sports centers, gyms, and schools.