PHC Initiative Africa

Non communicable diseases (NCDs) kill about 41 million people annually. This constitute 71% of deaths globally. And most of these deaths occur in low and middle income countries mostly in sub saharan Africa where Nigeria is. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, tend to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behaviours factors.

The main types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes. There has been an all time misconception among the poor, living in less economically disadvantaged communities that diseases like heart attack and stroke; cancers and diabetes affect only the rich. Hence they are misconstrued as “rich man disease”. Alot of poor people still hold firmly to this misconception, as such are living reckless lifestyles and carefree lives.

We collaborate with other non for profit organisations like NCD Alliance, World Heart Federation and many others in leading the fight against NCDs in Nigeria.