Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
THE Government has issued a warning over the rising threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country, particularly in urban centres where sedentary lifestyles and high consumption of processed foods are increasingly common.
To address the challenge, the Government is intensifying interventions ranging from fiscal measures to expanded health screening programmes.
The warning comes as health experts observe a concerning shift in the disease burden from rural to urban populations.
Non-communicable diseases are medical conditions that are not infectious and cannot be transmitted between individuals. They are typically chronic in nature and progress gradually over time.
The most prevalent NCDs in Zimbabwe include cardiovascular diseases — such as heart disease and hypertension — various cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory conditions like arthritis.
Unlike communicable diseases such as malaria or HIV, these conditions are largely driven by lifestyle factors.
A key dietary driver is the high intake of processed foods, which often contain excessive amounts of unhealthy fats, salt and sugar.
The growing reliance on “fast foods” and sugary drinks, especially in urban environments, has been directly linked to rising obesity levels — a major risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
In contrast, traditional diets centred on natural, whole foods, which remain more common in rural areas, provide a protective effect against many of these conditions.
Speaking in Parliament recently, Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Cde Sleiman Kwidini, highlighted the escalating trend.
“The non-communicable diseases are indeed increasing. The reason is simply that lifestyle changes are taking place. As we get an increase in the middle class, we find that their food patterns change as well. If you go to the rural areas, they eat more natural food. You find that the disease burden there is less. However, as we get to our urban areas where people are eating more processed foods, you see that we are getting more and more of these non-communicable diseases,” he said.
Deputy Minister Kwidini outlined the Government’s multi-pronged strategy to combat the rise in NCDs. He highlighted legislative measures already implemented, including taxes on sugar and fast food aimed at discouraging unhealthy dietary habits.
“This is actually to discourage our society from eating these foods because they contribute a lot to non-communicable diseases,” he said.
Regulatory oversight is also being strengthened through the Food Standards Association, which requires all packaged foods to display clear nutritional information, including levels of protein, fat, sugar and minerals.
“It’s a must that it be there. They also do the inspections and we administer the Act to make sure that companies are compliant with those regulations,” he said.
Beyond regulation, the ministry is expanding its health outreach efforts.
“We have outreach programmes as a ministry, where screening is done for these diseases so that treatment is instituted,” said the Deputy Minister.
He further revealed that in January, the ministry commissioned eight mobile health trucks to travel across provinces, improving access to screening for common cancers such as cervical, breast and prostate cancer.
These outreaches combine health education with rapid testing, ensuring early detection and timely treatment. Through combined measures — including taxation, regulation and public education — the Government aims to reduce the prevalence of NCDs and promote a more health-conscious population.
