17 Nov 2019

Batswana have been advised to know their health numbers in order to control Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), 80 per cent of which could be prevented.

Health numbers refer to blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body mass index, which are key to understanding one’s physical wellbeing.

This was highlighted during the commemoration of World Diabetes Day recently in Gaborone. 

“Knowing these numbers helps a great deal in improving the quality of health,” NCDs coordinator for National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA), Ms Bame Shatera said, adding that such factors increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and other serious health complications.

Ms Shatera said government had made concerted efforts in combating NCDs because prevention is key, further noting that NAHPA was tasked with the primary responsibility of tackling  multi-sectoral prevention of diseases to fight NCDs.

She further highlighted that the reason why National AIDS Coordinating Agency had since been re-designated NAHPA was to expand the mandate to include health promotion as well as coordination and prevention functions for NCDs.

Cuban ambassador to Botswana, Ms Patricia Guerra said her country acknowledged the strides Botswana had made to curb NCDs in primary healthcare services.

She said diabetes was a global problem and one of the world’s leading causes of death, as seven million cases were reported annually. 

She called on the public to avoid the use of tobacco and to reduce the burden by collective prevention.

Princess Marina Hospital superintendent, Dr Tshepo Machacha encouraged the public to do routine tests at health facilities, noting that NCDs -related deaths surpassed HIV and other chronic illnesses such as cancer.

One of the people living with diabetes, who is also a member of chain-riding cyclists, Mr Kitso Motshidisi said his club, in collaboration with health officials, had an initiative of cycling across the country and have members of the public do routine tests.

He said tests had established that many people lived with diabetes and high blood pressure without knowing it and encouraged people aged 35 years and above to do routine checkups annually, as such diseases were mostly common in adults of such ages. Ends