Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
THE Premier Services Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) has launched a wellness campaign aimed at increasing awareness, prevention and early detection of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are accounting for a growing share of illness and premature deaths nationwide.
The campaign focuses on major NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, cervical and prostate cancer, and, through a series of educational sessions, health screenings and lifestyle support activities, the initiative seeks to help citizens better understand their health risks and adopt healthier habits.
PSMAS population health and wellness coordinator, Dr Tapiwa Chiworeka revealed that they are targeting to reach out to 30 000 members nationwide, 3 000 of them in Manicaland.
“Premier Services Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) has launched its first Premier Lifestyle Wellness Week aimed at curbing non-communicable diseases. This marks the beginning of a series of wellness-focused programmes planned throughout the year, as a central pillar of the new PSMAS board’s five-year strategic objective to champion preventative health to build a healthier population.
“The objective is to scale up the programme to leave no member behind. For the first quarter of 2026, we are targeting to reach 30 000 countrywide and at least 3 000 in Manicaland.
The programme is targeting non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cervical cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer. Zimbabwe has seen a rise in non-communicable diseases, a crisis which imposes a significant health and financial burden on citizens, and this demands decisive and proactive intervention to prevent and control them.
“Prevention is better than cure, and these targeted diseases are preventable and controllable with lifestyle modification and early treatment. We want our members to know the diseases, understand their risks and take control of their health through daily wellness practices,” said Dr Chiworeka.
In Zimbabwe, health statistics suggest that non-communicable diseases now account for more than a third of all deaths, and projections warn of a steep rise if nothing changes, especially regarding unhealthy food, alcohol and smoking.
Hypertension, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory illness are now among the leading causes of death and disability. As opposed to infectious conditions that spread rapidly and show symptoms early, NCDs are insidious.
