11 Jun 2023

The high number of deaths due to Non Communicable Disease (NCDs) calls for concerted efforts to accelerate prevention, early detection and treatment of diseases.

This was said by the Assistant Minister for State President, Mr Dumizweni Mthimkhulu in Gaborone on Friday during the ministry’s wellness day themed: Measure your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control it and Live Longer.

Mr Mthimkhulu said NCDs were the leading causes of death globally, claiming 38 million lives yearly more than HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria combined.

The assistant minister also said many individuals with NCDs were unaware and undiagnosed, further noting that the rising burden of NCDs was a great concern to government.

To help spearhead prevention of Non Communicable diseases, Mr Mthimkhulu noted that the ministry employees  had embarked on a weight loss challenge programme called Biggest Loser geared towards intensifying health promotion.

“This programme helped some of our employees to lose weight tremendously more especially our biggest loser who lost 11.5 kg and I applaud the programme and encourage officers to continue the journey beyond this day,” he said.

National AIDS & Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA) acting manager, Ms Bame Shatera urged the ministry employees to know their health status, such as their hypertension status, blood sugar levels and Body Mass Index (BMI).

Ms Shatera also cautioned officers to avoid behaviours that would increase NCDs such as drinking alcohol, not exercising and smoking among others.

She explained that 80 per cent of NCDs could be prevented only when people could go for screening early.

Ms Shatera advised people to monitor their eating habits, indicating that eating small portions of food had proved to help maintain good health and help prevent heart diseases, hypertension, cancer and diabetes among others.

The employees also commemorated the Hypertension Day on the same day.

The day is observed every year on May 17 to create awareness about its symptoms and ways to manage it.

The wellness day activities included athletics, football as well as screening for diabetes, cholesterol among others. ENDS