25 Aug 2013

Deaths from non-communicable diseases are projected to exceed the combined deaths of communicable and nutritional diseases, maternal and perinatal deaths as the most common causes of death by 2030.

Officiating at a health fair in Letlhakane, the Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Lebonaamang Mokalake said non-communicable diseases already disproportionately affect low and middle income countries where nearly 80 per cent (29 million) of non-communicable diseases deaths occur.

Mr Mokalake pointed out that Botswana was presently experiencing a surge in the burden of non-communicable diseases, also known as chronic diseases.

He said the situation poses a major setback for the health system and also slows progression in people’s activities, thus resulting in government incurring an expensive continuum of care for clients.

The minister noted that the four main common types of non-communicable diseases are cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes.

To lessen the impact of non-communicable diseases on individuals and society, Mr Mokalake said a comprehensive approach was needed that requires all sectors to work together to reduce the risk associated with non-communicable diseases as well as promote interventions to prevent and control the diseases.

He stressed that an important way to reduce non-communicable diseases was to focus on lessening the risk factors associated with the diseases.

Low cost solutions exist to reduce the common modifiable risk factors which are mainly tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity and the harmful use of alcohol, he said.

The minister further noted that because non-communicable diseases were related to HIV and AIDS, they could not be ignored.

He highlighted that some conditions were preventable while others could be cured if detected early and treated on time.

The minister also pointed out that  poor diet could lead to malnutrition in children and children who were HIV positive were more likely to be underweight.

Smoking leads to lung diseases while substance abuse may lead to mental health conditions. ENDS