In the wake of escalating economic challenges and growing insecurity, particularly the surge in kidnapping incidents, health professionals are sounding the alarm about a potential uptick in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health disorders.
In exclusive interviews with Journalists Healthwise, medical experts underscored the profound impact of rising medication costs and security threats on individuals grappling with NCDs. Fear of being unable to afford essential medications amidst soaring prices, compounded by the specter of abduction, looms large for many patients.
Defined by the World Health Organization as ailments like heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory conditions, hypertension, and diabetes, NCDs rank among the leading global causes of mortality.
Delving deeper into the nexus between insecurity, escalating drug expenses, and public health, experts emphasized the detrimental toll of perpetual fear and uncertainty on Nigerians’ well-being, potentially exacerbating health conditions and complications.

Recent reports detailing a spate of kidnapping incidents across various regions have sent shockwaves throughout the nation. From the Federal Capital Territory to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Ekiti State, brazen abductions have instilled widespread apprehension.
Tragic episodes, such as the abduction of pupils and teachers in Emure-Ekiti and the kidnapping of political figures along major thoroughfares, underscore the pervasive nature of the crisis.
Against the backdrop of relentless violence and abductions, concerns about the efficacy of security apparatuses to safeguard lives and property loom large. With statistics revealing a staggering toll of fatalities and abductions, apprehension over personal safety remains palpable.
Economic upheavals stemming from policy shifts and corporate exits have further compounded the situation, driving up prices of essential commodities, including medications. The resultant strain on households, coupled with dwindling access to nutritious meals and healthcare, paints a grim picture of the nation’s health landscape.
Against this backdrop, health professionals caution that the confluence of economic adversity and insecurity may exacerbate physical, psychological, and mental health challenges. Professor Olufemi Fasanmade, Unit Head of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the College of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, underscores the palpable anxiety gripping patients with chronic NCDs. The uncertainty surrounding medication affordability and the erosion of routine medical care underscores a looming healthcare crisis.
In the face of mounting uncertainties, proactive measures and robust support systems are imperative to safeguarding the health and well-being of Nigerians amidst turbulent times.