Govt committed to fighting non-communicable diseases
What you need to know:
- The minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Ms Ummy Mwalimu made the remark during the International Diabetes Day with the theme ‘Women and Diabetes; Our Right To A Healthy Future.”
The government has reiterates its commitment to ensure that Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which include diabetes, decrease by 30 per cent come 2030.
The minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Ms Ummy Mwalimu made the remark during the International Diabetes Day with the theme ‘Women and Diabetes; Our Right To A Healthy Future.”
“Our country will continue to partner with other nations to ensure that the NCDs go down by at least 30 per cent by 2030,” she said on Tuesday, November 14.
As part of this year’s diabetes day celebrations, the ministry in collaboration with the Tanzania Diabetes Association will conduct free diabetes screening programme at Kisutu and Jangwani secondary schools in in the city, the minister revealed.
“Free NCDs screening programme will also be carried out at regional and district level cross the country,” she said.
The number of diabetic patients is projected to rise to 592 million patients worldwide by 2035.
In Tanzania, a survey conducted in 2012, involving 50 districts showed that 9.1 per cent of Tanzanians aged above 25 years are diabetic.
On the continent, Tanzania is ranked eighth among the top 10 African countries experiencing high diabetes prevalence rate.
Meanwhile, specialists at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) on Monday conducted a free diabetes screening as part of the celebrations.
“Many people mainly women turned out for screening. Some have been diagnosed with diabetes,” Dr Mohamed Mohamed, MNH Head of Diabetes Unit told The Citizen.
Dr Mohamed further called upon Tanzanians to eat healthy food and stop smoking tobacco in a bid to avoid developing NCDs including diabetes.
“I encourage people to engage in exercise as well and make sure they undergo regular medical checkups, majority of people are living with NCDs, but they don’t know their health status,” he said.
Speaking to The Citizen, Ms Hamisa Rashidi, one of women who turned out for diabetes screening at MNH applauded the hospital management for offering a free diabetes screening programme.
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