PM stresses regular health check-ups to combat NCDs
DAR ES SALAAM: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has called on Tanzanians to undergo regular health check-ups as a vital step in preventing and treating Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) early.
Speaking on Sunday at the Green Park grounds in Oysterbay, Dar es Salaam, during the Saifee Marathon, Mr Majaliwa stressed the importance of proactive health monitoring in saving lives.
“Fellow citizens, go and undergo medical check-ups so that you can be sure of your health. In the past, these services required travelling to countries like India, the UK, or Germany, but today, we have access to these treatments right here in our country,” he said.
He added: “We all have a responsibility to prioritise frequent body check-ups. Early detection of diseases enables timely treatment and can be lifesaving.”
The Prime Minister also urged health stakeholders to increase public education on preventive measures, noting that NCDs have been recognised globally as a major health threat.
He said the government remains committed to investing in the health sector to ensure Tanzanians can access quality care for heart and vascular diseases locally, thereby reducing the need for costly treatment abroad.
As part of this effort, he highlighted the government’s investment in modern diagnostic equipment, such as echocardiograms (ECHO), electrocardiograms (ECG), ultrasound machines and Holter monitors, under the sixth-phase government led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
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Citing statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Mr Majaliwa noted that approximately 71 per cent of all deaths globally are caused by NCDs, and an estimated 4.9 million people aged 30 to 79 suffer from heart and blood vessel complications.
For his part, Managing Director of the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), Dr Peter Kisenge said the government continues to implement the 2007 National Health Policy, which prioritises improved care for NCDs, including hypertension.
Dr Kisenge revealed that Tanzania has recorded a rise in hypertension cases from 1.73 million in 2023/2024 to 1.77 million in 2024/2025, representing a 98 per cent increase.
Earlier, Saifee Hospital Managing Director Mr Murtaza Alibhai explained that the purpose of the marathon was to raise awareness on the importance of protecting one’s health through responsible lifestyle choices.
He added that the hospital’s strategies are aligned with the National Development Vision 2050, which emphasises improving the wellbeing of all citizens.
“We are proudly supporting the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan in transforming the health sector,” said Mr Alibhai.
