Call for greater awareness as Non-Communicable Diseases rise
DAR ES SALAAM: THE government has continued to put in place various strategies to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including strengthening preventive services, public awareness and education to increase understanding of how to prevent these diseases.
This was stated by the Assistant Director of the Department of Non-Communicable Diseases, Dr Omary Ubuguyu, during the 13th Afya Leo Conference held in Dar es Salaam, which brought together various stakeholders in the health sector from the government, international organizations, public and private institutions, as well as experts and members of the public.
Dr Ubuguyu said that controlling non-communicable diseases does not end with providing education alone, but requires changes in lifestyle, including exercising, reducing alcohol consumption and maintaining a healthy diet by increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables.
He said research shows that although physical activity has improved in some areas, there is still a challenge of insufficient physical activity among people due to the use of means of transport such as motorcycle taxis and three-wheeled taxis, while alcohol consumption among young people is increasing.
He said another important measure is to strengthen early detection of diseases, noting that the increase in life expectancy among Tanzanians from an average of 48 years to more than 68 years has also increased the importance of identifying people with non-communicable diseases at an early stage. Dr Ubuguyu said there is still a challenge, as many people are diagnosed when the disease has already reached a moderate or advanced stage, which increases treatment costs and affects the nation’s workforce.
He stressed that citizens should begin undergoing health check-ups before showing symptoms, while also changing their lifestyles and making use of preventive health services. He said these measures are important in reducing the burden of such diseases on individuals, families and the nation as a whole.
For his part, Prof Kaushik Ramaiya, Secretary of the Tanzania Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance (TANCDA), said they have prepared a book called “Lifestyle,” which will help the community understand how to live better and what to do even when one is living with a non-communicable disease.
Participants in the meeting who are living with non-communicable diseases, Pascalina Ngwanda and Samwel Maingu, said the major challenges they face are the high cost of medicines in hospitals and limited public awareness about non-communicable diseases.
