DAR ES SALAAM: AS the festive season approaches, Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) Executive Director and Health and Medical Advisor to the President, Prof Mohamed Janabi, has urged the public to prioritise healthy eating habits to prevent Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
Prof Janabi said in his Christmas and New Year message to the public yesterday that people should focus on preventive measures to combat NCDs such as diabetes and heart diseases through adopting a healthy lifestyle.
“People are going for Christmas, some are traveling to Moshi, Arusha, Mbeya, Iringa and others to Songea my hometown, eating will be excessive, meat consumption will increase, drinks will be excessive everything will be in excess… my Christmas message is to focus on moderation in eating,” said Prof Janabi.
“A healthy lifestyle can help you avoid NCDs. Many of these diseases are linked to poor lifestyle choices. You don’t just wake up with these conditions like diabetes or kidney disease. It’s a gradual process and we can avoid them by making lifestyle changes,” he said.
Prof Janabi highlighted that a healthy lifestyle includes focusing on a nutritious, plant-based, engaging in resistance training to build muscle for fat loss and metabolic health. Also prioritising good sleep hygiene and managing stress to improve quality of life and health outcomes.
“The solution to these diseases lies in changing our lifestyles, getting adequate sleep, exercising, increasing the intake of vegetables and fruits and reducing stress,” he said.
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He also said that it is now common for one person to suffer from multiple NCDs such as stroke, heart disease and diabetes, largely due to poor lifestyle habits, including lack of exercise and unhealthy eating urging the public to change.
“I’m not saying people should not celebrate, but everything should be done in moderation. As we approach Christmas and the New Year, people tend to consume everything in excess such as eating meat and drinking alcohol in excess. It’s important to be cautious,” he said.
Prof Janabi noted that around 34.6 million people globally die annually from non-communicable diseases, including cancer, heart disease, hypertension, stroke and diabetes noting that the diseases rank among the top ten causes of death at Muhimbili National Hospital every year.
He also stressed the high cost of treating non communicable diseases, urging the community to adopt healthy lifestyle to avoid such ailments.
Prof Janabi also advised citizens to be aware of their health status, noting that knowing key health indicators such as blood pressure, body mass index, blood sugar levels, waist circumference and cholesterol levels is crucial for maintaining good health.
Moreover, he commended the government for its ongoing efforts to improve healthcare services in the country, including services at Muhimbili National Hospital.
He acknowledged the hospital’s strides in providing specialised medical care and reiterated its commitment to enhancing services.
He noted that expanding access to advanced treatments locally would benefit Tanzanians and reduce the need for referrals abroad.
