TANZANIANS have been encouraged to change their lifestyles so as to prevent spread of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
The call was made in Dar es Salaam over the weekend by the Acting Director of Curative Services from the Ministry of Health, Dr Omary Ubuguyu at the launch of the third intervention of the diabetes compass project (Learning and Performance Support).
It was organised by the Tanzania Diabetes Association (TDA) in collaboration with World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) aiming at building capacity of the health care providers (HCPs) in the country to prepare for effective management of diabetes and hypertension diseases.
“Tanzanians should change their lifestyle to conquer the NCDs by conducting regular exercises, refraining from excessive use of alcohol as well as smoking cigarettes and adopting a good healthy diet,” Dr Ubuguyu said.
He further added that by considering lifestyle-change, the number of NCDs will be mitigated by almost 50 per cent.
According to him, the cases of NCDs have been increasing every year, especially from the late 1980s until now.
“The death toll averages caused by diabetes and hypertension have sharply increased in the country. The statistics show in the 1980s, only five people out of 100 died of NCDs related cases, but recently the number has risen, where 30 up to 40 people out of 100 are said to be dying of NCD related complications,” he said.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NCDs including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease, are responsible for almost 70 per cent of all deaths worldwide.
For his part, General Secretary, TDA Prof Kaushik Ramaiya implored Tanzanians to have the tendency of conducting regular diagnoses to prevent further complications of NCDs, whilst underlining the issues of increasing public awareness about non -infectious diseases.
“Lack of knowledge of NCDs made most diabetes patients attend to the health facilities in the bad stages of the disease. According to Step Survey conducted by WHO 2012 nine out of 100 people who were diagnosed were recorded to have diabetes.” Prof Ramaiya said
On the other hand, the Senior Project Manager of the Diabetes Compass Project Ms Busara Chiza said the Diabetes Compass aimed at improving the quality of diabetes care in healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by leveraging emerging digital solutions to reduce vulnerabilities in the Diabetes Care Pathway – with a focus on improving early detection, clinical assessment, and initiation of care
She further noted that the research-based programme identifies issues as the common challenges among (HCPs) in managing diabetes and hypertension including the ability to translate knowledge into clinical practice.
In the course she said, the five years project is currently implemented in the coastal region of Mtwara and Lindi Region, adding they are expected to expand all over the country.
For his part, Head of Digital Solution from WDF, Mr Michael Calopietro said the use of technology will not only help massively in data collection of diabetes patients but also it will help to improve the community of HCPs through e-learning platforms.
