A cardiologist, Akinsanya Olusegun-Joseph, says non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular diseases, are among the leading causes of premature deaths globally.

Mr Olusegun-Joseph spoke at the 2026 World Patient Safety Day organised by the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), with the theme “Safe Care for Non-Communicable Diseases.”

He said NCDs accounted for more than 75 per cent of deaths globally, emphasising the need for sustained attention to patient safety and healthcare delivery.

Mr Olusegun-Joseph, senior lecturer, Department of Medicine, University of Lagos, and consultant cardiologist, LUTH, said the event would focus attention on patient safety and accelerate actions to achieve it.

He said NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, respiratory diseases and mental health challenges, were driven by genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors requiring continuous care.

The cardiologist said cardiovascular diseases remained a leading cause of death, accounting for more than 7.8 million deaths annually, with more than 75 per cent occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

He said, “The patient is the primary stakeholder because that’s why everything about care – that’s the person whom everything about care revolves around. So the patient is a major stakeholder.”

Mr Olusegun-Joseph said patients, healthcare professionals, relatives, hospital management, governments and policymakers must work together to promote safe care, emphasising education, screening, training and early intervention.

He identified hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, tobacco smoking, stress and environmental exposures as major risk factors.

He urged healthcare workers to routinely check patients’ blood pressure and advised communities to seek medical care early to prevent complications associated with NCDs.

The cardiologist called for healthier lifestyles, including nutritious diets, reduced sugar and unhealthy fats, portion control, increased intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, regular physical activity and adequate sleep.

He also urged routine medical checks, stronger health systems, patient involvement and continuous training to reduce avoidable harm associated with the management of NCDs.

“You are what you eat. Change your habits, change your life. Stay consistent. Healthy living is a lifestyle,” he said.

In his speech, Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, LUTH, Babawale Bello, said patient safety was central to the institution’s healthcare delivery and an obligation to every patient.

He said, “We are here because of the patients. And so patient safety is not an abstract construct. It’s something that we are obligated to ensure.”

Mr Bello said LUTH joined the global community, under the World Health Organisation (WHO), to commemorate World Patient Safety Day with the theme “Safe Care for Non-Communicable Diseases” and slogan, “Safety for Life.”

He said as a tertiary hospital, LUTH provided multidisciplinary care for patients with hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, kidney disease and malignancies, making the theme relevant to its daily practice.

Mr Bello said patient safety covered diagnostics, therapeutics and medications, urging healthcare workers to ensure every patient received prompt, effective and safe care.

The Director of Administration, Omolola Fakeye, appreciated staff for their dedication, describing their contributions as highly valued by the institution.

Ms Fakeye urged graduates and healthcare professionals to submit their credentials for employment, assuring them of opportunities to work locally rather than travelling abroad.

The event featured testimonies from patients and their relatives on patient safety and the quality of healthcare services and delivery at LUTH.

A patient’s husband, Solomon Osikhuemhe, said his wife was admitted to LUTH in January and received care at the intensive care unit (ICU) for more than five months.

He said doctors, nurses and caregivers provided professional care, while necessary tests and consultations were conducted before treatment, contributing to his wife’s recovery and improved condition.

“I discovered that the healthcare delivery in LUTH is great. Yes, there are still more that need to be done because the staff are few compared to the number of patients,” he said.

Wife of a patient, Adenike Johnson, said her husband, who suffered a partial stroke, had shown significant improvement, including being able to move his hand and squeeze his leg.

She commended LUTH nurses and doctors for their care, describing the hospital as clean and improved, urging management to regularly inspect wards to address emerging challenges.

(NAN)