Increase in deaths through non-communicable diseases cause for concern

The diseases include diabetes, mental disorders, strokes, high blood pressure and other chronic respiratory diseases.
Speaking on the sidelines of a graduation ceremony at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo on Friday, Dr Madzorera there was need for Zimbabweans to be proactive in order to fight non-communicable diseases.

Without giving statistics, Dr Madzorera said several people were suffering and dying from the diseases.
“We are in the process of conquering the HIV and Aids pandemic, but I see a situation whereby we would move from one epidemic to another, if we do not deal with non-communicable diseases as soon as possible,” said Dr Madzorera.

“More people from Zimbabwe and other parts of Southern Africa are dying due to these diseases, yet we can work together to prevent them and save lives.”
He urged people to avoid abusing alcohol, eating fatty foods and smoking.

“As the Ministry of Health, we cannot alone succeed in the fight against non-communicable diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic respiratory diseases.
“They are caused by abuse of alcohol, smoking, eating fatty foods, consumption of excess salt and sugar. It is therefore important for people to exercise regularly and avoid fatty foods,” said Dr Madzorera.

He said the fight against non-communicable diseases was one of the major challenges facing the ministry and its health staff.
“The main theme for nurses this year is ‘Closing the Gap’. This means that we would like to make health care universally accessible to everyone, including people suffering from non-communicable diseases.

“This implies removing all barriers to accessing health services such as user fees, long distances travelled to health centres and ensuring that medicines, consumables and equipment are available at health institutions,” said Dr Madzorera.