More awareness on NCD required

What you need to know:

  • Statistics shows that about 74 percent of people globally dies of NDC while in Tanzania 33 percent die of NCD and there is an increase in numbers for patients with NCD.

Three quarter of patients living with Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) in Tanzania are not aware of their health status, something that calls for more awareness on early check up and rural outreach to save more lives.

This was said by Dr James Kaologwe NCD Deputy Director from the Ministry of Health when addressing Mwanza residents at the official opening of Global Week of Action on NCDs in 2022 at the CCM Kirumba grounds on Wednesday.

The week aims getting a message across to governments, donors, international agencies and private sector: Invest in health today, save lives and money tomorrow.

Statistics shows that about 74 percent of people globally dies of NDC while in Tanzania 33 percent die of NCD and there is an increase in numbers for patients with NCD.

“If we don’t join hands and collaborate in the struggle to fight NCD war still NCD cases are on the increase and as a country we are about to exceed our capacity of treating NCDs,” said Kaologwe.

Adding to that he said, women play a vital role in the fight to stop NCDs as they prepare food for the family and they can help in preparing the right food as it is required healthy wise.

The NCD week themed ‘Lifestyle Change to improve quality health’ was officiated  by Kaspar Mmuya the Deputy  Secretary General from the Office of Prime said it is the right time for health stakeholders to invest more in outreach programs as they will broaden chances of people knowing their health status in advance.

He said, the productive generation between the ages of 15-60 are among those affected, making it very dangerous to the country as it kills the generation which contributes in building the nation.

“It is important for people to exercise and pay attention to want they eat as a way of avoiding  more cases on NCDs. Excessive drinking for youth isn’t the right way to go. Instead of spending long hours at the bar after work hours people should utilize that time for exercise and other development activities,” said Mmuya.

Leticia Rweyemamu is the Coordinator of Health Donor Group at the World Health Organization (WHO) said that WHO is ready to support the government in whatever projects to address NCD cases in the country.

Adding to that she said, NCDs contributes to poverty in the country as the patients spends a lot of money for care and treatment and the family has to take care of the patient.

The NCD week will have a series of activities in Mwanza as part of the commemoration.

At the CCM Kirumba there is free health check for different diseases  and on the last day 400 hundred health stakeholders will attend the Fourth NCDs  Scientific Conference 2022.