22 Sep 2014

Non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of death world-wide as it stands at 60 per cent, according to Justice Annah Mathiba, a trustee of Health First Foundation.

Justice Mathiba said during the screening and medical consultations session, which was aimed at assisting aged residents of Rakops from the age of 60 years and above on September 20. She said they saw it fit to partner with government to attend to non-communicable diseases as well as to support the vision 2016 pillar of a just and caring nation.

The statistics that were provided by government, she said, had prompted them to embark on the cause by volunteering to assist members of the public to bring quality health in the lives of Batswana. She said Health First Foundation lobbied health specialists to assist Batswana as the magnitude of chronic illness call for all parties to play a role.

“It cannot be business as usual for us, the cost of doing something now will be less than the cost of not doing something in five years,” she said.

Justice Mathiba noted that in 2005, 5388 outpatients were attended to at various facilities at diabetes mellitus and over 107 deaths were recorded.

Whilst in 2007, 5728 outpatients were seen at the same health facilities and 128 deaths occurred and in 2009, 6044 cases recorded prompted Ministry of Health to initiate a research project on the chronic disease risk factors surveillance which would guide future policy direction and intervention. Justice Mathiba said as Health First Foundation they realised that government could not do it alone and therefore they joined hands with specialist volunteers and partners such as Debswana, AT and T Monnakgotla travel and tours to turn the tide of lifestyle diseases.

When advising the patients on diabetes Dr Gontle Moleele, a diabetes specialist based in Gaborone, cautioned that overweight was the main cause of diabetes and that it could be prevented by following a healthy diet.

While Dr Lesedinyana Odiseng said it was essential to exercise as it could protect them from attracting opportunistic diseases, noting that the risks of getting diseases such as cancer were lowered. The Parliamentary Candidate for Boteti West Mr Slumber Tsogwane commended Health First Foundation for their charitable work saying it would go a long way in making a significant impact in the lives of the people of Boteti.

He urged them to remain committed demonstrating tolerance in their volunteerism work. ENDS