15 Jun 2016

Presenting to members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi recently,   the Public Health Specialist for Non Communicable Diseases Dr Neo Tapela says the most leading cause for death is not HIV/AIDS, as it is wildly believed, but Non Communicable Diseases. 

Dr Tapela said   people who could live beyond 75 years die earlier because of Non Communicable Diseases, also stating that about 38 million people die each year saying it is a pity since most of the Non Communicable Diseases are preventable.

Dr Tapela  said that  the main Non Communicable Diseases  that account for 82 percent of deaths include cardiovascular diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension and asthma.

She therefore urged the public to check their lifestyle risk factors such as tobacco use, which increases chance of cancer, harmful use of alcohol that could cause stroke, unhealthy diet that contributes to heart attack and physical inactivity that contributes to obesity.   

She urged the public to work together to tackle the looming public health threat.

Dr Tapela further urged  Dikgosi to help the Ministry of Health  in the fight  against  Non Communicable Diseases saying they have since aligned  themselves to Global developmental goals.

She also stated that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has suggested that tax be increased in regards to alcohol and tobacco use. She mentioned that they were looking into a need to reduce harmful use of alcohol by 10 percent, reduce tobacco use by 30 percent.

She said  WHO proposes a ban on alcohol advertising, improvement in training, including education in counselling and multi drug therapy for the victims.

 She also said there is so much the health sector could do but an individual is faced with the drive to exercise, to eat healthy and take medicine at the right and appropriate time.

She said it takes an individual to commit to not smoking and taking limited alcohol. She also stressed the importance  for individuals to engage  in physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day.

Dr Tapela said  Non Communicable Diseases significantly affect the economy, adding that the economic output loss of Non Communicable Diseases account for USD 500 billion per year. ENDS