The upsurge of lifestyle diseases worries health science professors

Makerere university's professors of health sciences have expressed worry over the rising number of lifestyle diseases in Uganda, particularly the public service.

"The burden of Non communicable diseases [lifestyle diseases] has doubled in Uganda and we need to marshal resources to create awareness among the public," said an epidemiology Professor, Fred Wabwire, from the college of Health Sciences.

He was speaking at a fundraising dinner organized by Makerere University and St. Augustine University, yesterday (Tuesday) at Pearl of Africa, Hotel in Nakasero. 

Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are diseases that are not transferrable from one person to another. They include cardiovascular diseases like stroke, cancers, diabetes, mental illness, chronic respiratory diseases and sickle cells.

A 2013 world Health Organisation (WHO) report states that cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases are responsible for 80% of deaths in low and middle income countries.

Prof. Charles Ibingira, the principal college of health sciences, said that Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are responsible for 40% of all deaths in Uganda. While the cancer institute has so far registered 45,000 new cancer cases.

He explained that the diseases are caused by excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet.

"We need to create awareness and encourage people to go for early detection and treatment," he said.

King Caeser Mulenga, the proprietor St. Augustine University, noted that they are setting up an NCD fund to help create awareness, promote research and innovations to stop the upsurge of the diseases.

"We have to make it clear to all Ugandans that these diseases are here and encourage them to do regular screening. We also need screening introduced in schools just like HIV/AIDS," he said.

He urged Ugandans to engage in daily physical exercises, at least 30minutes daily, as a prevention measure.