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Minister urges citizens to change lifestyle to curb diabetes

STEP survey has revealed that the number of people with diabetes in Zanzibar has increased
Zanzibar

ZANZIBAR: STEP survey has revealed that the number of people with diabetes in Zanzibar has increased from 3.7 percent in 2011 to 7.5 percent, the House of Representatives was informed yesterday with a call for changes in lifestyle to minimize risks of contracting the disease.

This statement was given by the deputy minister of health Mr Hassan Khamis Hafidh in response to questions from Mr Ameir Abdalla Ameir (Mwanakwerekwe) who wantged to know the level of diabetes in Zanzibar.

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The Minister said 7.5 percent of the population of about two million people (2022 national census) is a growing challenge.

“we need to change lifestyle and be sensitive on what we eat, we also need frequent body exercise, while those who have already contracted the disease should observe medical precautions,” he said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) STEPSwise approach to surveillance or STEPS is an internationally comparable, standardized and integrated surveillance tool through which countries can collect, analyse and disseminate core information on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).