Health stakeholders intensify fight to curb NCDs ahead of UN meeting    

DAR ES SALAAM: VARIOUS health stakeholders are working together with the government in efforts to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) ahead of the UN High-Level Meeting later this year.

They recently met to join forces and develop strong strategies to fight these diseases, which continue to pose a serious threat to communities.

Dr. Hamad Nyembea, the Director of the Medical Department at the Ministry of Health, made these remarks during a preparatory meeting for the upcoming United Nations High-Level Meeting (UN HLM) on non-communicable diseases scheduled for this month. The meeting aimed to showcase how Tanzania is addressing these challenges so that other countries can learn from its experience, and vice versa.

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“The cost of treating these diseases is very high. Therefore, when we meet in forums like this, we collaborate to find the best ways to prevent these diseases. First, it is important for communities to understand these illnesses well, and also to identify those affected early so that they can receive treatment and avoid severe complications,” Dr. Nyembea said.

He added that alongside prevention strategies, they are also discussing the high treatment costs for conditions such as hypertension and kidney diseases to find sustainable solutions.

Meanwhile, Dr. Omary Ubuguyu, Assistant Director of Non-Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, stated that Tanzania’s preparations against these diseases align with the global sustainable development agenda targeting the year 2030. Tanzania is compiling reports and assessments on its current status, achievements, challenges faced, and future goals.

Prof. Kaushik Ramaiya, Secretary-General of the Tanzania Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance (TANCDA), noted that the private sector has been collaborating with the government in efforts to control these diseases to ensure effective management.

At the end of this September, the United Nations General Assembly, involving heads of state, stakeholders, and health sector partners from around the world, is expected to be held in New York, USA. The meeting will focus on control and strategies to tackle non-communicable diseases. Tanzania will be represented at this meeting by the Vice President,  Mpango.