adminPaidamoyo Chipunza Health Reporter
Medical experts have urged people to go for regular medical check-ups to avoid sudden deaths, strokes and other health complications.
They said sometimes people die without showing symptoms for any diseases yet they would have unknowingly harboured an illness for a long time.
The experts also spoke against taking herbal medicines, without the advice of medical practitioners as they might pose a serious health risk.
Specialist physician Dr Tapiwanashe Bwakura said often people believe that they are healthy simply because they have not had any symptoms.
“People should change their perceptions on health seeking behaviour. In Zimbabwe, we do not talk about wellness but talk of illnesses,” Dr Bwakura said.
He said sometimes what is termed sudden death would not be sudden as some diseases take long to show their symptoms or someone would have been living with a chronic condition without knowing.
“People have to be careful when they are using some of these remedies with purportedly high promises.
“Some of them are harmful to health and may cause kidney problems and bone marrow among other complications,” Dr Bwakura said.
He urged people not to rely on neighbours on issues concerning their health but to seek advice from professionals. Medical practitioner, Dr Billy Rigava, said because of overreliance on western diets, a lot of Zimbabweans are now overweight, obese, have high cholesterol levels making them at risk of non communicable diseases such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.
Dr Rigava castigated patients who abandon their medication for traditional remedies saying that decision does not do any good but harm to one’s health.
“It is unwise for someone with chronic medical condition to take advice from herbalists to abandon their medication as it might worsen a situation,” he said.
Deputy director for non communicable diseases in the Health and Child Welfare ministry Ms Clemenciana Bakasa said according to international trends, non communicable diseases are on the increase.
She, however, said statistics on Zimbabwe are still being compiled on the burden of each disease. She reiterated the importance of regular check-ups, adding the need for appropriate management once diagnosed and adherence to prescribed drugs.
Online Reporter