Chronic diseases a threat to Uganda, experts say
Oct 03, 2010
CHRONIC diseases like diabetes, cancer and heart diseases are fast becoming a big threat to the country and the continent, health experts have warned.
By Conan Businge
CHRONIC diseases like diabetes, cancer and heart diseases are fast becoming a big threat to the country and the continent, health experts have warned.
The latest studies show that many people are in danger and others are infected with chronic diseases in sub-Saharan countries.
Chronic diseases include tuberculosis, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and sickle cell anaemia.
Attention has been paid to infectious diseases unlike chronic ones, alternatively referred to as non-communicable diseases.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) cannot be passed on directly from one person to another yet they cause severe adverse effects.
These diseases are acquired over a long period of time. The key risk factors are physical inactivity, inappropriate diets that are rich in fat, salt, sugar and excessive consumption of alcohol.
Speaking at the Diabetes Leadership Forum Africa 2010 in South Africa on Thursday, Dr. Silver Bahendeka, who chairs Africa’s International Diabetes Foundation wing, said chronic diseases kill about 35 million people annually.
This implies that of all people who die globally, 60% of the deaths are caused by diabetes. Most of the deaths caused by chronic diseases occur in developing countries like Uganda.
The cost of treating diabetes and other chronic diseases is also high, crushing both the health and economic systems of the country, according to experts. They cited a heart operation that costs about sh20m in Uganda.
While the Uganda Heart Institute can carry out simple heart operations, complex ones require specialists to work in teams.
The majority of chronic diseases can be prevented by promoting healthy nutrition, exercising and by eliminating tobacco use.
The global health organisation’s assistant director for NCDs, Dr. Allan Alwan, said governments should invest more funds in fighting these diseases.
To fight chronic diseases, Uganda will be among the first to benefit from a plan to fight diabetes in Africa. The plan was launched yesterday.
CHRONIC diseases like diabetes, cancer and heart diseases are fast becoming a big threat to the country and the continent, health experts have warned.
The latest studies show that many people are in danger and others are infected with chronic diseases in sub-Saharan countries.
Chronic diseases include tuberculosis, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and sickle cell anaemia.
Attention has been paid to infectious diseases unlike chronic ones, alternatively referred to as non-communicable diseases.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) cannot be passed on directly from one person to another yet they cause severe adverse effects.
These diseases are acquired over a long period of time. The key risk factors are physical inactivity, inappropriate diets that are rich in fat, salt, sugar and excessive consumption of alcohol.
Speaking at the Diabetes Leadership Forum Africa 2010 in South Africa on Thursday, Dr. Silver Bahendeka, who chairs Africa’s International Diabetes Foundation wing, said chronic diseases kill about 35 million people annually.
This implies that of all people who die globally, 60% of the deaths are caused by diabetes. Most of the deaths caused by chronic diseases occur in developing countries like Uganda.
The cost of treating diabetes and other chronic diseases is also high, crushing both the health and economic systems of the country, according to experts. They cited a heart operation that costs about sh20m in Uganda.
While the Uganda Heart Institute can carry out simple heart operations, complex ones require specialists to work in teams.
The majority of chronic diseases can be prevented by promoting healthy nutrition, exercising and by eliminating tobacco use.
The global health organisation’s assistant director for NCDs, Dr. Allan Alwan, said governments should invest more funds in fighting these diseases.
To fight chronic diseases, Uganda will be among the first to benefit from a plan to fight diabetes in Africa. The plan was launched yesterday.