Towards the prevention and management of prostatic diseases in Nigeria: a framework

The prevalence of prostatic diseases is reportedly high in Nigeria, and in some cases, it is comparable to figures from industrialised countries. However, to date, the research and policy responses in Nigeria are regrettably inadequate. The presence of "the double burden of diseases" and a limited appreciation of recent trends in prostatic diseases may be partly responsible for this situation. Given the frequently meagre healthcare budgetary allocations, it is pertinent to develop a properly thought-out plan for the prevention and management of prostatic diseases in Nigeria. A framework aimed at contributing to the development of such a plan is presented here. The development of a Central Prostatic Diseases Unit (CPDU) in the Federal Ministry of Health is advocated. The CPDU would be responsible for planning research and information dissemination programmes. Emphasis should be placed on targeting modifiable risk factors at the population level, proper surveillance to identify emerging trends, and research on both the operational dynamics and the efficacy of locally available herbs that could be useful in the management of prostatic diseases.