…as NCDs contributes to 71% global deaths annually
Tinaani Nyabereka
Gweru-Health experts have urged government to ensure easy access to health services in the fight against non-communicable diseases.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are diseases that are not transmitted from one person to another.
These diseases are also known as chronic diseases as they are long lasting and progressive due to complex interaction of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioral factors.
Speaking to this publication during an interview on June5, Zimbabwe Professional Nurses Union (ZPNU) president and health expert Robert Chiduku said it was unfortunate that the country’s health sector was struggling to contain NCDs due to economic hardships.
“Diseases such hypertension, asthma, kidney diseases, diabetes mellitus among others are posing a threat to the health of ordinary Zimbabweans, who cannot afford to fund their medical bills.
Public health institutions have no drugs and diagnostic equipment, forcing citizens to go for private sector players who charge exorbitant prices to ordinary citizens.
“Government should ensure public health financing and allocate enough money on health budget which should meet or exceed the 15percent Abuja declaration. Strong health policies remain one of the key drivers to prevent and control non communicable diseases,” Chiduku said.
When African Union member states met in Abuja, Nigeria, in April 2001, they committed to allocate 15percent of their government budgets to health because more resources were required to address pressing health challenges including HIV and AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis.
Founder and director of Beat Non Communicable Diseases Zimbabwe (BeatNCDs Zim) a network of people Living with NCDs Jacob Ngwenya however said five major types of diseases which the health institution was battling were mainly cardiovascular diseases such as heart failures and strokes, diabetes, cancer as well as chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma alongside mental health.
Ngwenya further said there was need to increase taxes on tobacco, alcohol, sugar sweetened beverages as efforts to create an enabling environment to quit smoking and drinking alcohol alongside other illicit drugs.
“NCDs are not limited to these five conditions but there are more like chronic kidney disease, skeletal diseases such as arthritis, oral health disorders, obesity and auto immune disorders among many. These diseases are large contributors to disability and death.
“They contribute to at least 71% of all deaths globally per annum. This translate to the fact that NCDs contribute seven out of the world’s top ten killer diseases. NCDs also contribute about four out of five lived years with disability. NCDs are impacting negatively on our families, communities and countries health wise as well as economically such that we can’t afford to ignore them. Despite the diversity of these diseases, they all have the same risk factors both modifiable and non-modifiable.
“Not much can be done on non-modifiable risk factors such as age, ethnicity, sex and make-up but we can deal with modifiable risk factors so that we can delay the onset of the NCDs. The modifiable risk factors for NCDs are poor nutrition inclusive of poor dietary habits, physical inactivity, use of tobacco, improper use of alcohol and unhealthy environment,” Ngwenya said.
However findings obtained by the Beat Non Communicable Diseases Zimbabwe Network reveal that, non-communicable diseases have of late been fuelled by population aging and changes in lifestyle among other issues.
He said one thing people should understand about NCDs was that they had become an epidemic of their age culminating into a pandemic in slow motion, adding that NCDs could largely be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle which requires more than just personal determination.
“For example when wholesome food is more expensive and unavailable than junk food, when physical activity is a challenge, when parks and recreational facilities are not safe or properly equipped in some cases destroyed as the looming takeover of Gweru Sports Club and dilapidated state of Gweru City Council owned youth centers it becomes a challenge.
“The government should ensure access to health services to its population including access to early detection of disease, diagnosis, treatment provided without discrimination and without undue financial hardship.
“People must be provided with information and support that empowers them to manage their conditions which give them greater control over their health and to the health of their families. This way we can all prevent this epidemic from getting worse and enjoy longer and productive lives,” he added.
