The Silent Epidemic: Top 10 Neglected Killer Diseases in Nigeria

The Silent Epidemic: Top 10 Neglected Killer Diseases in Nigeria

While malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV dominate Nigeria’s health agenda, millions of Nigerians continue to die silently from neglected killer diseases that receive little attention, funding, or awareness.
Every day, countless families lose loved ones to preventable illnesses such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, stroke, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, hypertension, meningitis, and road accidents.

These diseases, often dismissed as “minor” or “manageable,” have now overtaken malaria and TB in morbidity and mortality rates, according to multiple health reports. The lack of strong interventions, poor health infrastructure, and low awareness continue to make them silent but deadly threats.

1. Diarrhoea: A Leading Killer of Children

Diarrhoea remains one of the top causes of child mortality in Nigeria, killing more than 135,000 children under five in 2021 alone.
Health experts say it’s largely caused by rotavirus infections, poor sanitation, and contaminated water.
Pediatricians emphasize the importance of oral rehydration therapy, clean water, exclusive breastfeeding, and vaccination to prevent dehydration and death.

2. Pneumonia: The Forgotten Killer

Known as the “forgotten killer”, pneumonia causes around 100,000 deaths annually in Nigeria—mostly among children under five.
Despite being curable, delayed diagnosis and lack of awareness keep mortality high.
Experts recommend childhood immunization, hand hygiene, and improved air quality as key preventive measures.

3. Birth Asphyxia: No Breath at Birth

Birth asphyxia—failure to breathe at birth—kills nearly 80,000 Nigerian newborns each year.
The tragedy is preventable through quality antenatal care, skilled birth attendants, and better emergency response systems during childbirth.

4. Diabetes: The Silent Killer

An estimated 12–13 million Nigerians live with diabetes, many undiagnosed.
It quietly damages the heart, kidneys, and eyes, leading to stroke or death.
Experts call for routine blood sugar checks, lifestyle changes, and public education to curb this rising health crisis.

5. Road Traffic Accidents

Road crashes kill an average of 10,000 Nigerians annually, driven by bad roads, reckless driving, and weak enforcement of traffic laws.
Public health experts urge better road safety education, stricter licensing, and improved infrastructure to reduce preventable deaths.

6. Meningitis

Meningitis killed more than 28,000 Nigerian children in 2021.
It spreads through airborne droplets and is worsened by poor vaccination coverage.
Experts advocate mass immunization and early diagnosis to prevent brain damage and death.

7. Cancer: The Growing Threat

Cancer cases are soaring, with breast and cervical cancer leading among Nigerian women.
In 2022 alone, more than 23,000 Nigerian women died from these two cancers.
Health advocates urge HPV vaccination, early screening, and public education to save lives.

8. Hypertension

One in every three Nigerians—about 74 million people—suffers from hypertension.
Often symptomless, it is the root cause of stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease.
Doctors recommend low-salt diets, regular exercise, and consistent medication to manage blood pressure.

9. Stroke

Nigeria records an estimated 200,000 new stroke cases yearly, making it the number one cause of adult disability.
Uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, and poor lifestyle habits are major triggers.
Public health experts stress routine check-ups, low-fat diets, and early medical intervention to prevent fatal outcomes.

10. Kidney Disease: The Silent Epidemic

Over 20 million Nigerians suffer from kidney-related diseases, yet only 10% of dialysis patients survive beyond a year due to high treatment costs.
Doctors warn that diabetes and hypertension are the biggest culprits, urging early screening, government subsidies, and expanded dialysis centers nationwide.

Why These Diseases Are Ignored

Experts say Nigeria’s health system focuses heavily on donor-funded diseases like malaria and HIV, leaving non-communicable and environmental illnesses underfunded.
The absence of sustained public health campaigns and limited access to care means millions continue to die from illnesses that are completely preventable or treatable.

The Way Forward

• To stop this silent epidemic, Nigeria must:
• Strengthen primary healthcare and disease surveillance
• Fund public awareness campaigns on prevention
• Expand health insurance coverage for chronic diseases
• Prioritize clean water, sanitation, and nutrition
• Improve data collection and national health budgeting

Conclusion

Neglected killer diseases in Nigeria expose deep cracks in the nation’s healthcare system. Without urgent intervention, millions of lives—especially among children and the elderly—will remain at risk.
Health experts agree: awareness, prevention, and equitable healthcare access are the real vaccines against these silent killers.

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