Nigerians should use digital health services for disease management – NACAMA
The National Complementary and Alternative Medical Association (NACAMA) has urged Nigerians to use digital health services to improve awareness, prevention and management of health diseases.
Prof. Peter Katchy, the National President of the non-governmental organisation, made the call on Tuesday in Enugu, while speaking on the World Heart Day celebration and its importance to Nigerians.
This year’s celebration has the theme, “Harnessing the power of digital health to improve awareness, prevention and management of cardiovascular disease.
Katchy said the use of digital health services had become necessary because of the global disruption of health services by COVID-19 pandemic.
According to him, Nigerians can use the advantage of their internet-enabled devices to learn more, create awareness and share information meant to positively improve the good condition of the heart and health of all.
He said that digital networks had the power to connect patients with families, friends, other patients, doctors and caregivers.
“Nobody should have to feel alone, so let Nigerians use technology to overcome isolation and gaps in care.
“From tele-health consultations to finding helpful online tools, everyone, everywhere should be able to benefit from digital heart health solutions.
“The right digital and internet-enabled tools and information can help us to develop a better understanding of our health and social connections that are an important defence against cardiovascular (heart) diseases.
“Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) or heart disease is the number one cause of death on the planet and majorly caused by hereditary pre-conditions, environmental conditions, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity and air pollution, amongst others.
“In this COVID-19, CVD patients are faced with a double-edged threat.
“Not only are they more at risk of developing severe forms of the virus but they may also be afraid to seek ongoing care for their hearts,” Katchy said.
The NACAMA boss said the prevention and awareness about heart disease “should concern every living person in the world”.
He, therefore, called on Nigerians to check all forms of hereditary pre-conditions and negative personal lifestyle of smoking, bad eating habits, lack of exercise and environmental context, such as air pollution and other threats to the heart.
“World Heart Day is meant to scale-up prevention of heart attack, strokes and other CVDs, which take the lives of 17.9 million people every year, representing 31 per cent of all global deaths.
“Heart disease signs show up in people as raised blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, overweight and obesity, which are very serious risks detrimental to good heart health,” Katchy said.
