The World Health Organisation (WHO) has praised Nigeria alongside China, Egypt, Russia, Brazil, and Denmark for achieving significant reductions in deaths linked to non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
According to WHO’s report titled “Saving Lives, Spending Less,” released on Thursday, the biggest gains were driven by declines in cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers, including stomach, colorectal, cervical, breast, lung, and prostate cancers. However, the agency noted that mortality rates from pancreatic and liver cancers, as well as neurological conditions, remain on the rise in many countries.
The report highlighted that an annual investment of just $3 per person in tackling NCDs could generate economic benefits of up to $1 trillion by 2030.
Despite global progress, WHO warned that momentum has slowed, with 60 percent of countries experiencing weaker gains compared to the previous decade. Alarmingly, 75 percent of NCD and mental health-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, accounting for 32 million lives lost annually.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, emphasized the urgency of sustained investment, describing NCDs and mental health conditions as “silent killers.” He said:
“We have the tools to save lives and reduce suffering. Countries like Denmark, South Korea, and Moldova are leading the way, while others are stalling. Investing in the fight against NCDs isn’t just smart economics—it’s an urgent necessity for thriving societies.”
The UN agency called on governments to scale up implementation of WHO’s “Best Buys”—a set of cost-effective interventions such as tobacco and alcohol taxation, child protection from harmful marketing, hypertension management, and cervical cancer screening.
WHO estimates that full implementation of these measures could, by 2030, save 12 million lives, prevent 28 million heart attacks and strokes, add 150 million healthy life years, and generate over $1 trillion in economic gains.
The findings come ahead of the Fourth United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting (HLM4) on September 25 in New York, where world leaders will discuss accelerating action against NCDs and strengthening mental health policies.
