24 Jun 2019

Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane says government, through the National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA), is set to intensify measures aimed at controlling Non-Communicable Diseases in the country.

Mr Tsogwane said this at the service day hosted by Leading Hand Foundation for the elderly in Rakops last recently, where he also donated 500 blankets.

He commended NACA for their role in addressing and sensitising the public on HIV/AIDS, the fight he said was won through the leadership of former president Dr Festus Mogae, hence the decision to partner with the agency in the control of NCDs.

He explained that NCDs were lifestyle diseases, which were mainly caused by what people consumed, and thus encouraged the elderly to be mindful of what they ate.

On other issues, the vice president said government would continue to increase pension for the elderly, a move he said was aimed at appreciating their role and contribution in nation building.

For his part, Mr Lemogang Ntime from National Food Technology and Resource Centre (NFTRC) observed that as people grew old, their taste buds got dysfunctional and tended to increase intake of sugar and salt.

He thus warned the elderly against high intake of sugary and salty foods as well as meat as a way of taking care of their bodies.

High intake of sugary and salty foods, he explained, was not good for their health because it made them prone to some ailments which include high blood pressure, stroke as well as diabetes.

Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines general manager, Mr Bakani Motlhabani said it was critical for all stakeholders to ensure the elderly did not lose their inherent dignity and fundamental rights including their right to health.

He said Orapa Mine hospital served as a referral hospital in Boteti and had over the years, nurtured relations with local service providers in the area and would continue to do so.

Meanwhile, he said Debswana donated P10 000 towards the event as a move to demonstrate the company’s value of ‘Sshow we Care’. ENDS