Group Blames Rising Sudden Deaths On Ignorance, Self-Medication

National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has blamed the rising cases of sudden deaths in Nigeria on ignorance, poor health-seeking behaviour and widespread self-medication.

It warned that many fatalities could be prevented through adherence to science-based healthcare.

The first vice president of the association, Zuma Deck, Abuja, Hassan Mohammed, made this known during a public awareness walk on the streets of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mark this year’s World Health Day.

Mohammed said the initiative was aimed at promoting scientific approaches to healthcare while discouraging harmful misconceptions surrounding sudden deaths.

He explained that although World Health Day is globally marked on April 7, the association’s outreach formed part of its annual commitment to public enlightenment on critical health issues.

“Today, we are here to commemorate World Health Day. Although it is marked globally on April 7, this is an annual event for us, and we are here to join in the celebration,” he said.

Speaking on the theme of the campaign, “Together for Science,” Mohammed stressed that science remains central to achieving effective healthcare outcomes and preventing avoidable deaths.

“We strongly believe that science is central to achieving proper healthcare outcomes. This outreach is aimed at creating awareness so that people understand what they need to do regarding their health,” he stated.

He urged Nigerians to prioritise regular medical check-ups and proper diagnosis, warning against the dangers of taking medications without professional guidance.

“People should undergo proper medical tests before taking any medication. They should visit hospitals, consult qualified medical professionals, and avoid patronising quacks. This way, they can receive accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment,” he said.

Mohammed expressed concern over the increasing incidents of sudden deaths, noting that many cases are linked to undiagnosed medical conditions and the failure to seek timely medical attention.

“On the issue of sudden death, we are witnessing many cases in society today. Often, this happens because people do not seek medical attention or go for routine check-ups,” he noted.

He cited hypertension as a major but often undetected condition responsible for preventable deaths.

“For instance, some individuals are hypertensive without knowing it because they feel physically strong. If they had visited a hospital earlier, they would have been diagnosed and placed on appropriate treatment, which could prevent such tragic outcomes,” he said.

Drawing from personal experience, Mohammed emphasised that outward physical strength is not a reliable indicator of good health.

“I have had a personal experience where I believed I was perfectly healthy until I went to the hospital for routine checks and discovered underlying issues. This shows that it can happen to anyone,” he added.

Also speaking, chairman of the association’s Advocacy Committee, Barrister Charles Ndukwe, said the sensitisation campaign was part of activities lined up to commemorate World Health Day, despite a slight adjustment in schedule due to members’ commitments.

“This exercise is essentially a sensitisation campaign held in commemoration of World Health Day, which is marked globally on April 7, 2026. Due to other commitments, we had to move our physical activity to today,” he said.

Ndukwe disclosed that the awareness drive would be complemented by a virtual lecture scheduled for 8 p.m. on the same day, focusing on the theme: “Sudden Death: Empiricism versus Diabolism.”

“Later this evening, we will also be hosting a lecture on Zoom to further engage the public on this critical issue,” he said.

He identified self-medication, reliance on anecdotal experiences, and failure to seek scientific verification of one’s health status as major challenges confronting effective healthcare delivery.

“When they feel unwell, some resort to self-medication, while others rely on another person’s experience, assuming that because a particular drug worked for someone else, it will work for them,” he said.

According to him, many Nigerians do not undergo routine medical examinations to detect underlying conditions such as diabetes or monitor their blood sugar levels and vital organs.

“As a result, individuals may be carrying underlying health conditions without knowing it,” he noted.

Ndukwe also challenged the widespread belief that physical strength equates to good health, describing it as misleading and dangerous.

“There is a common misconception that being physically strong automatically means being healthy. That is not correct. Strength is not equivalent to good health,” he said.

He further decried the tendency to attribute sudden medical emergencies to supernatural or diabolical causes, stressing that such assumptions divert attention from real medical issues.

“This explains why we sometimes see people suddenly collapse—in offices, on the road, in restaurants, or even while driving. In many cases, such incidents are quickly attributed to supernatural causes or diabolical influences,” he stated.

“However, these assumptions often lack scientific basis. The human body functions on scientific principles, and health issues should be approached from that perspective,” he added.

Ndukwe emphasised the importance of early detection and timely medical intervention, noting that many conditions can be effectively managed if diagnosed early.

“It is important to note that many health conditions, when detected early, can be effectively managed or treated before they become life-threatening,” he said.

He called on Nigerians to take advantage of the association’s advocacy initiatives and adopt safer, science-based healthcare practices.

The awareness walk attracted attention from residents within the FCT, with participants carrying messages encouraging regular health checks, hospital visits, and the rejection of unverified health practices.