By Tione Andsen
Lack of advocacy and awareness among community on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the country has contributed to the raise of cases and deaths.
Africa Non-Communicable Diseases Network (ANN) Secretariat Representative for Southern Africa, Henry Ndhlovu disclosed this to Malawi News Agency (Mana) Friday in Lilongwe as part of NCDs and COVID-19 leveraging the power of lived experiences in Africa to accelerate NCD response.
He said if communities are made aware on the signs and symptoms of the NCDs chances are that most cases would be manageable.
‘We need to develop a culture of safe testing and regularly health checkups in order to contain the raise of NCDs within our communities,” Ndhlovu added.
He pointed out that the absence of regularly exercise among individuals have a negative impact to mitigate the occurrence of NCDs.
The ANN Representative said communities need to view any type of exercise as a means to contain the raise of NCDs in the country.
“Most of NCDs are treatable but sometimes some patients report late to a health facility due to lack of knowledge of the diseases. We need to intensify the awareness and advocacy among communities so that they should be able to seek early treatment if they feel the signs of any NCDs,” Ndhlovu added.
He expressed concern that people living with NCD s talk freely when they are on their own but are shy to talk and even disclose in large forum.
Ndhlovu observed that there was great need to provide adequate resources for capacity building and community advocacy if the battle against NCDS was to be won.
He noted that Media engagement on NCDs remains critical saying it would help to create awareness among the communities in the country.
Chair, Africa NCDs Network Secretariat and Secretary General, Cameroon Civil Society NCD Alliance, Ferdinant Songuy said NCDs are the leading cause of death globally.
“In 2012, they caused 68 percent of all deaths (38 million), with 70 percent mortality occurring in low and middle income countries,” he said.
Songuy said risk factors related to a person’s background, lifestyles and environment increase the likelihood of developing an NCD.
World Health Organization (WHO)estimates that by 2030, NCD mortality in African region will increase by 27 percent (28 million) additional deaths; exceeding deaths cause due to communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional diseases combined.