Experts in non-communicable diseases have identified lack of relevant epidemiological data, ignorance among the populace and lack of coordination between relevant professional groups as major barriers to effective control of cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria.

The experts including cardiologists (specialists in the study and management of heart diseases), nephrologists (specialists in the study and management of kidney diseases) and endocrinologists (specialists in the management and study of the diseases of the glands such as diabetes) stated this during the inauguration of the Advisory Board on Cardiovascular Diseases of drug company, Novartis, in Lagos.

According to them, Nigeria currently lacks necessary infrastructure and logistics to effectively tackle the problem of cardiovascular diseases said to be on the increase in every part of the country.

Chief Scientific Officer at Novartis, Dr. Ugur Ozkutlu, in his paper presented during the inauguration noted that only nine percent of hypertensive patients and 19 percent of diabetes patients receive optimal treatment worldwide while a majority remain largely undiagnosed. According to him, hypertension management now requires a combination therapy for patients to be well managed, adding that this will require the use of three to four drugs.

He also disclosed that physicians across the world do not have access to a wide range of antihypertensive drugs, adding that only few pharmaceutical companies still manage to introduce new drugs due to the high cost of developing new ones. A firm would need not less than N1.2 billion to develop one molecule of drugs in this category, according to him.

He, however, advised Nigerian physicians, relevant medical bodies and associations to close ranks and come with necessary studies that would help to determine the magnitude and real situation of cardiovascular diseases in the country.

The specialists drawn from different institutions across the country were unanimous in their assessment that the management of cardiovascular diseases in the country is plagued with a dearth of relevant statistics that could give the true picture of the CVD situation in the country. Speakers at the plenary sessions of the inauguration ceremony disclosed that no epidemiology study had been conducted to determine the number of Nigerians affected and other relevant data on CVD in the country.

Although the experts acknowledged few studies, mostly hospital-based, being conducted in different centres across the country, they observed that these were not being properly coordinated to provide useful data on the state of CVDs in the entire country. According to them, there was need for all the researchers to come together and agree on a protocol to give the nation some forms of realistic data on CVDs.

The experts also acknowledged the existence of a guideline prepared b y the Hypertension Society of Nigeria but however, called for proper coordination among relevant associations and medical bodies for proper implementation of the guideline.

The experts also decried the general low awareness and ignorance among the Nigerian populace on CVDs. According to them, a substantial number of patients report very late in the hospitals with many of them already developing complications. Also, the group noted, there was need for more education of the General Medical Practitioners on the need for referral of patients at the appropriate time.

Ozkutlu told members of the advisory Board that the goal of Novartis in establishing it was to be a part of research efforts by all the Nigerian experts to chart a way forward in the management of CVDs in the country. He disclosed that the company would assist the Board by providing existing relevant data and information at its disposal so that Nigerians can develop local protocol and necessary guidelines.

Head of Novartis African Cluster Business, Mr. Mohit Malhotra, said the experts had, in the cause of the inauguration, demonstrated that there was a great need for a body such as the Novartis Cardiovascular Advisory Board to help take specific steps to address the problems of CVD in Nigeria.

He urged the group to fast track the existing research work on CVDs in the country and assured them of Novartis' resolve to collaborate with them and provide necessary assistance to help achieve the objectives of the Board.

The Novartis Cardiovascular Advisory Board, an initiative of Novartis Scientific Pharma, West Africa was inaugurated to help in the determination, gathering and collation of data on cardiovascular disorders in Nigeria while also providing information to the community to raise awareness about the existence and need for treatment of the disorders.

Professor of medicine at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, Ayodele Omotosho, has been appointed as the first National Coordinator of the Board while Professor David Adewale Oke of the College of Medicine University of Lagos, Professor Solomon Dan-Bauchi of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria and Professor Onwumere of the University Teaching Hospital, Enugu were appointed as zonal coordinators for Lagos, North and East respectively.