The Federal Government has warned that poor sleep poses critical dangers to public well being and road safety, calling for elevated funding in sleep drugs, specialist coaching, diagnostic services and analysis throughout Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Kachollom Daju, gave the warning in a goodwill handle delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Director, Clinical Services and Diagnostics, Dr Adebayo Olufemi, on the inaugural annual assembly and scientific convention of the African Sleep Medicine Network in Abuja.
Daju mentioned sleep well being might now not be handled as a peripheral challenge due to its hyperlinks to non-communicable illnesses, psychological well being, maternal and baby well being, occupational well being and road safety.
He recognized obstructive sleep apnoea, insomnia, narcolepsy and circadian rhythm issues among the many circumstances requiring better consideration from policymakers, healthcare professionals and researchers.
According to him, untreated sleep issues have penalties past particular person sufferers, contributing to road crashes, impaired studying amongst youngsters and diminished productiveness.
“Sleep health therefore cuts across non-communicable diseases, mental health, maternal and child health, occupational health and road safety,” he mentioned.
Daju described sleep drugs as an rising area in Africa and referred to as for analysis that displays the realities of African populations, environments and dwelling circumstances.
He listed noise, overcrowding, warmth, shift work and financial stress among the many elements that may intrude with wholesome sleep.
“We cannot plan well for what we have not measured,” he mentioned, stressing the necessity for dependable information on the prevalence and affect of sleep issues in Nigeria and throughout Africa.
The Permanent Secretary referred to as for stronger sleep laboratories and diagnostic services, elevated specialist coaching and wider public consciousness of sleep well being.
He mentioned analysis proof would assist the federal government decide the providers, pointers and coaching required to handle sleep issues successfully at tertiary and different ranges of healthcare.
Daju additionally urged better collaboration amongst clinicians, researchers, policymakers {and professional} our bodies to strengthen Nigeria’s capability in sleep drugs.
“The knowledge shared at this Congress can help us to understand the burden of sleep disorders in Nigeria and across Africa and to decide what services, guidelines and training are needed in our tertiary hospitals and at other levels of care,” he mentioned.
He urged Nigerians to recognise sleep as an integral part of wholesome dwelling, alongside correct diet, train and avoidance of tobacco.
Daju described public training on sleep well being as a doubtlessly low-price, excessive-affect intervention that might complement efforts to stop and management non-communicable illnesses and promote psychological properly-being.
Also talking, the FCT Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, pledged that the Federal Capital Territory Administration would combine sleep well being consciousness into its non-communicable illness programme.
Fasawe, who was represented by the Director of Clinical Services and Diagnostics, Dr Osayande Osagie, mentioned the initiative was a part of efforts to handle the rising burden of life-style-associated and continual illnesses within the territory.
She mentioned the administration would encourage healthcare professionals to display screen sufferers for sleep issues and assist partnerships aimed toward establishing sleep laboratories and increasing coaching alternatives in hospitals throughout the FCT.
Fasawe mentioned poor sleep was related to a number of circumstances putting vital strain on the well being system, together with hypertension, diabetes, stroke, coronary heart failure, weight problems, nervousness and despair.
She additionally highlighted the broader penalties of undiagnosed sleep issues, noting {that a} sleep-deprived driver might trigger a road crash, whereas a toddler with undiagnosed sleep apnoea might undergo poor educational efficiency.
She additional famous that sleep-disordered respiratory might have critical implications for pregnant girls, together with its affiliation with issues resembling pre-eclampsia.
The Mandate Secretary expressed concern that, regardless of the well being penalties of sleep issues, sleep drugs remained beneath-recognised in medical training, scientific follow and well being coaching throughout Africa.
The President of the Nigerian Sleep Society and the Nigerian Society of Neurological Sciences, Prof. Morenike Komolafe, referred to as for stronger continental collaboration, analysis and mentorship to advance sleep drugs and provides Africa a stronger voice in world sleep well being.
Komolafe mentioned the inauguration of the African Sleep Medicine Network marked a big milestone in efforts to convey African professionals collectively to handle the continent’s sleep-health challenges and strengthen its contribution to world scientific discourse.
She mentioned African international locations had for years lacked a powerful collective voice on the worldwide sleep-health stage, making the institution of the community significantly vital.
According to her, a multidisciplinary method was important as a result of sleep well being cuts throughout a number of areas of healthcare and requires experience past drugs alone.
Komolafe additionally referred to as for better funding in analysis involving African populations, noting that proof from the continent remained inadequate to totally perceive and handle its distinctive sleep-health challenges.
The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the 2026 African Sleep Medicine Network Conference, Prof. Kolawole Mosaku, referred to as for stronger coordination amongst well being professionals, researchers and different stakeholders to advance sleep well being throughout Africa.
Mosaku mentioned the convention was designed to advertise information-sharing, skilled improvement and collaboration whereas translating scientific proof into sensible approaches for enhancing sleep well being and healthcare supply.
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