The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has called for abstracts ahead of the 2025 Joint Annual Review (JAR) of Nigeria’s health sector scheduled to hold from November 3 to November 7 in Abuja.

Dr Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, National Coordinator of the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordination Office, said this in an interview with newsmen, on Friday in Abuja.

Umar-Sadiq said that the forum would provide a vibrant platform to showcase solutions that could strengthen Nigeria’s health system against current and future shocks.

He said that with the theme “Strengthening Nigeria’s Health System Resilience for Sustainable and Inclusive Care”, the scientific session would run from November 3 to November 5 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.

He said that it would bring together researchers, policymakers, and development partners to share evidence, innovations, and scalable models that can advance equitable healthcare delivery across the country.

“The Joint Annual Review is a critical accountability mechanism for Nigeria’s health sector.

“It allows stakeholders to reflect on progress, identify gaps, and recommend sustainable pathways for strengthening resilience and inclusiveness across states and local governments,” he said.

Umar-Sadiq said that sub-themes of the review included adaptive systems and governance, workforce resilience, technological innovations, sustainable financing mechanisms, emergency preparedness, and community engagement for equity.

He urged interested participants to submit abstracts before the Sept. 26 deadline through the official portal: swap.gov.ng/jar.

The Joint Annual Reviews are yearly health sector performance assessments led by governments with partners, civil society, and other stakeholders.

They track progress, identify challenges, and set priorities using national health data.

The reviews promote accountability, align donor support with national strategies, and guide planning and financing toward universal health coverage.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has commended Nigeria, China, Egypt, Russia, Brazil, and Denmark for reducing the mortality rate in Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) for their citizens.

The biggest gains were driven by declines in cardiovascular disease and certain cancers—such as stomach and colorectal cancers for both sexes, cervical and breast cancers for women, and lung and prostate cancers for men.

In contrast, pancreatic, liver cancers and neurological conditions contributed to rising mortality in many countries.

WHO, in a report “Saving lives, spending less” released on Thursday, revealed that an additional investment of just US$3 per person annually in tackling NCDs could yield economic benefits of up to US$1 trillion by 2030.

The UN health agency, however, called on Member States to invest more in cost-effective solutions to manage NCDs and mental health.

Alongside the report, WHO shared a new analysis of country-level progress in reducing NCD mortality between 2010 and 2019.

It stated that while 82 per cent of countries achieved reductions during this period, the rate of progress has slowed significantly across most regions, with some countries even experiencing a resurgence in NCD-related deaths.

NCDs are responsible for the majority of global deaths, while more than one billion people live with mental health conditions.

Alarmingly, nearly 75 per cent of deaths related to NCDs and mental health conditions occur in low- and middle-income countries, accounting for 32 million lives lost each year.

In just a few days—on September 25, —Heads of State and Government will convene in New York for the Fourth United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting (HLM4) on prevention and control of NCDs and the promotion of mental health and well-being.

The meeting aims to adopt an ambitious Political Declaration to accelerate global action and investment in these critical health and development areas.

“Noncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions are silent killers, robbing us of lives and innovation,” Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said.

“We have the tools to save lives and reduce suffering. Countries like Denmark, South Korea, and Moldova are leading the way, while others stalling. Investing in the fight against NCDs isn’t just smart economics—it’s an urgent necessity for thriving societies.”

NCDs include cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and strokes), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma), and diabetes, among others.

Mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, he said, were also highly prevalent across all countries and communities, affecting people of all ages and income levels.

Without urgent and sustained action to tackle these, millions more lives will be lost prematurely.

While the majority of countries made progress in reducing the risk of dying prematurely from an NCD between 2010 and 2019, 60 per cent experienced a slowdown in progress compared to the previous decade.

The WHO chief said that solutions to tackle NCDs and promote mental health and well-being were both affordable and highly cost-effective.

Governments, he said, often face intense lobbying from powerful industries whose products contribute to disease.

He said tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed food companies frequently attempt to block, weaken, or delay life-saving policies—ranging from health taxes to marketing restrictions aimed at protecting children.

“It is unacceptable that commercial interests are profiting from increasing deaths and disease,” Dr Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention said.

Governments, he said, must put people before profits and ensure evidence-based policy is not derailed by corporate pressure.

Scaling up implementation of WHO’s ‘Best Buys’, a set of high impact interventions including tobacco and alcohol taxation, protecting children from harmful marketing, managing hypertension, and scaling up cervical cancer screening would cost just an additional US$3 per person per year on average.

The return on investment is substantial: by 2030, full implementation could save 12 million lives, prevent 28 million heart attacks and strokes, add 150 million healthy life years, and generate over US$1 trillion in economic benefits.

The upcoming Fourth UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting (HLM4) on NCDs and mental health is the most significant political opportunity of the decade to drive transformative change.

HLM4 offers a unique opportunity to adopt an ambitious, action-oriented and achievable Political Declaration on NCDs and mental health—grounded in evidence, anchored in human rights, and aimed at delivering impact through and beyond 2030.

With a bold Political Declaration, Heads of State and Government can not only recommit to achieving the 2030 targets but also set the vision for the next decades —charting a new course that will save lives and improve well-being for future generations.

“We know what works. The time to act is now. Governments that act decisively will protect and save lives, cut costs, and unlock growth.

“Those that delay will pay in lost lives and weaker economies,” Dr Devora Kestel, Director of WHO’s Department for NCDs and Mental Health, said

Fears has enveloped 11 local government areas of Rivers State following the high rate of transmission of Elephantiasis.

This was disclosed at the flag off of a 3-day free hydrocele surgeries organized by the public health department Neglected Tropical Diseases( NTDS), Rivers State Ministry of health in partnership with Christoffel Blind Mission (CBM) in Port Harcourt.

According to an expert, Elephantiasis popularly known as “Big leg,” is caused by lymphatic filariasis worms carried by mosquitoes.

It was also revealed that the World Health Organization (WHO) has set 2030 to eliminate Elephantiasis infection globally.

The affected local government areas, according to the information,include Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, and Degema.

The rest are Akuku Toru,Asari Toru, Ikwerre, Etche, and Ogu Bolo local government areas.

Also affected are Okrika, Ahoada East, and Bonny Local Government Areas.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government  has disclosed its readiness to ensure the success of the free hydrocele surgeries.

Director Medical Services, Rivers state Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu  said this while flagging off the program in Port Harcourt.

Wachukwu who oversees the office of the permanent secretary of the ministry said his office has also approved a reasonable sum of money to the director public health with the view to ensuring the inclusion of more beneficiaries in the Programm.

He commended Christoffel Blind Mission CBM for coming to the state to give succour and life to the people.

Also speaking, Dr. Joseph Kumbur of Christophel Blind Mission CBM said the group is committed to the Eradication of  anything that will lead to Disabilities.

Kumbur also said that in the coming weeks, the group will embark on door to door campaign with the view to distributing drugs in the eleven local government areas currently being infected by Elephantiasis in the state.

According to him, the campaign was in line with the World Health Organization WHO desires to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases NTDS by 2030 and urged the Rivers State Government to strengthen its commitment already given.

Also speaking, Chief Medical Director of the Rivers State Hospital Management Board Dr Bright Ogbonda commended the organization for partnering with the board to embark on the program.

Ogbonda said the program was also in line with the activities of The Rivers state Ministry Health aimed guaranteeing quality health care service delivery to the people of Rivers state.

He said the board will ensure the success of the three day surgery.

The Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum (NDENYLF) has commended the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, for facilitating free healthcare services.

In a statement on Thursday, NDENYLF spokesperson, Mr Legborsi Yamaabana, said the initiative aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Yamaabana lauded Ogbuku for demonstrating leadership, empathy, and concern for the region’s youth, describing his efforts as a step toward securing the health and future of the next generation.

“The youths of the Niger Delta are proud of his exemplary kindness.

“We urge other leaders and public officials to emulate this noble gesture and show genuine care for those they serve,” he said.

Yamaabana revealed that a recent beneficiary of the healthcare support was Mr Utienyin Godwin, a former President of the Itsekiri National Youth Council, who received urgent medical assistance.

He explained that Godwin fell ill while attending an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) training organised by the NDDC, and required immediate medical attention to stabilise his condition.

“Ogbuku personally visited the hospital, paid all medical expenses, and gave instructions for thorough treatment to be administered without delay,” Yamaabana added.

He described the act as a clear display of compassionate leadership and said the NDENYLF could attest to Ogbuku’s unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of Niger Delta residents.