By ADEROGBA GEORGE

Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), a coalition of Civil Society Organisations, says excessive salt (sodium) intake can lower the lifespan of individuals..

The coalition reiterated this position on Tuesday in Abuja at a meeting on salt consumption reduction.

Dr Jerome Mafeni, NHED Director and Project Adviser, Campaign for Reduction of Salt in Commercially Produced Food, said that the coalition is launching campaign against high salt (sodium) intake.

He said the coalition had put together CSOs, non-state actors both at the national and international levels to actualise the campaign

According to him, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) like hypertension, heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke are dangerous diseases.

He said, about 18 million persons died of such diseases worldwide in 2019, which represented 32 per cent of the global death.

Mafeni said that there was the need for Nigerians to begin to reduce their salt consumption particularly on commercially produced foods to less than 5 grams.

“We are going to be working through a multifaceted strategy with very limited resources to reach a large percentage of Nigerians.

“We will reach out with our messages both through traditional and digital media which is now very popular to reach out to the people about reducing their salt intake,” he said.

Mafeni said the coalition would follow up on a draft Bill pending at the national assembly on legislation against excess salt (sodium) intake

He said they were also partnering National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Federal Ministry of Health on their goals

Mrs Joy Amafah, the In-Country Coordinator, Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) said her organisation had been advocating for public health policies to reduce Cardiovascular diseases.

Mrs Tessy Maina, NHED Communication Specialist, urged the media to help champion the course of passing the message of reduction in salt intake to Nigerian populace.

She said that with collaboration of the media, much could be achieved in driving the campaign and increase the life expectancy of individuals. (NAN)

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