Tanzania promotes exercise for better health, fight against NCDs

DAR ES SALAAM: ENGAGING in regular physical activity is increasingly being recognised as a key strategy in Tanzania’s fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

To support this, the government has launched a series of initiatives across the country, encouraging citizens to adopt active lifestyles that improve overall health and wellbeing.

These initiatives include nationwide programmes, dedicated exercise days and the development of modern recreational facilities, all aimed at making physical activity more accessible to Tanzanians.

This is particularly important, as a lack of exercise has been strongly linked to serious health issues such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

The urgency of these measures is underscored by statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which reports that non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory conditions account for 74 per cent of all deaths globally.

This means that out of every ten deaths worldwide, about seven are caused by diseases linked to lifestyle and behavioural factors, including physical inactivity. Each year, more than 17 million people die prematurely before the age of 70 due to NCDs, with 86 per cent of these early deaths occurring in lowand middle-income countries.

In its 2024 health report, the WHO also noted that 43 million people died from NCDs in 2021, accounting for roughly threequarters of all non-pandemicrelated deaths that year.

These alarming figures emphasise how deeply lifestyle habits, such as regular physical exercise, influence global health outcomes and mortality rates. In recognition of this, the government has stepped up its efforts to promote regular physical activity.

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The Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports and the Ministry of Health have worked together to roll out a nationwide exercise programme, with activities ranging from yoga to running and formal mass-exercise events, in order to embed an “exercise culture” among Tanzanians.

At workplace level, the government has encouraged institutions to organise sports events and allocate budgets for sports facilities, citing benefits in workers’ health, mental wellbeing, efficiency and national representation in sporting competitions.

A key highlight of this national effort has been the establishment of a weekly Saturday morning exercise initiative in Dar es Salaam.

The programme designates every Saturday from 6 am to 9 am as a period for physical exercise and reduced vehicle usage, allowing residents to walk, jog or cycle freely along Ocean Road and across the Tanzanite Bridge.

The plan was introduced following a proposal by the Minister for Health, who requested the government “to close the road from Coco Beach through the Tanzanite Bridge every Saturday to allow people to exercise.” This ten-kilometre route from Coco Beach via Tanzanite Bridge to Ocean Road has become a vibrant scene of community fitness, encouraging citizens of all ages to participate in physical activity and helping to raise awareness about preventing NCDs.

Beyond promotional campaigns and exercise days, the Tanzanian is actively investing in infrastructure to make physical activity more accessible.

The latest budget includes an allocation of 12bn/- for the construction of state-of-the-art exercise and relaxation centres in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, providing modern spaces for fitness and recreation.

At the grassroots level, the National Sports Council (NSC) has launched a project to establish sports training centres in all regions, supported through the Sports Development Fund.

These centres aim to enhance grassroots participation in sport and physical activity, giving individuals of all ages the opportunity to engage in regular exercise. Additional infrastructure projects include a proposed multi-purpose sports and arts arena in the Kawe area of Dar es Salaam, featuring Olympicstandard swimming pools, indoor stadium facilities, and both natural and artificial turf football pitches.

These facilities reflect a clear government strategy: Promoting health through awareness, access and well-designed recreational spaces that motivate Tanzanians to adopt active lifestyles.

The benefits of physical activity are both immediate and long-term. Studies have revealed that regular exercise can help to improve cardiovascular health, as it strengthens the heart and improves blood circulation. It can also help to reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Furthermore, it can be an effective way to manage stress and improve mental health. Physical activity releases endorphins, which can help to enhance mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of many types of cancer by between eight and twenty-eight per cent. It also lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke by around nineteen per cent, diabetes by seventeen per cent, and depression and dementia by twenty-eight to thirty-two per cent.

Globally, nearly 1.8 billion adults (about 31 per cent of the adult population) did not meet the recommended levels of physical activity in 2022. WHO warns that if current trends continue, this figure could rise to 35 per cent by 2030, making it unlikely that the global target of a 15 per cent reduction in inactivity will be achieved. Physical inactivity is estimated to contribute to between 3.2 and 5 million deaths every year, making it one of the leading risk factors for non‑communicable diseases and premature mortality. WHO emphasises that physical activity is not limited to gym sessions or sports; any movement that uses skeletal muscles such as walking, cycling, active recreation and play is beneficial to health.