Key facts
- Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74% of all deaths globally.
- Each year, 17 million people die from a NCD before age 70; 86% of these premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
- Of all NCD deaths, 77% are in low- and middle-income countries.
- Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.3 million), chronic respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (2.0 million including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes).
- These four groups of diseases account for over 80% of all premature NCD deaths.
- Tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets all increase the risk of dying from an NCD.
- Detection, screening and treatment of NCDs, as well as palliative care, are key components of the response to NCDs.
Zanzibar — President Samia Suluhu Hassan has won praise from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for being among global leaders, who have shown commitment in addressing appalling trend of ‘Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
According to the WHO, such NCDs include heart diseases, strokes, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease which are responsible for 17 million premature deaths every year, where 86 per cent of the deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
In Tanzania statistics shown in the 1980s, only five people out of 100 died of NCDs related cases, but recently the number has risen, where 30 up to 40 people out of 100 are said to be dying of NCD related complications.
The Acting WHO Country Representative, Dr Zabulon Yoti commended the president during the launch of ‘NCDs Journalism fellowship’ held in Dar es Salaam, yesterday.
He said President Samia has showed her commitment to fight the diseases during the World NCDs Congress 2022 held recently in the United States with some leaders taking part virtually.
Dr Yoti also commended the Ministry of Health for coordinating the just concluded National NCDs Week in Mwanza Region, noting that the launch of the fellowship programme has come timely.
“I commend the Tanzanian government for being the only country in the African Region and among the six (6) countries championing this initiative – the other 5 countries are China, Colombia, India, Jordan and USA,” he said.
He detailed that, NCDs kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74% of all deaths globally with cardiovascular diseases accounting for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.3 million), chronic respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (2.0 million including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes).
“These statistics are alarming, but the good news is that we know how to prevent and manage these diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted that action on NCDs is urgent and critical to protect our people from the death and disability wrought by NCDs,” he said.
Dr Yoti further said that journalists have a great role to play in the fight against the diseases especially raising public awareness of the problem and how to avoid the risk factors.
“There is a number of factors which led to lack of awareness about the NCDs but media can change people’s attitudes towards the diseases … The fellowship programme being launched today was designed to address this problem and improve the quality and quantity of media coverage on key NCD issues,” he said.
He added that responsible health reporting demonstrates the power of media in bringing about policy/legislative change and ultimately behaviour change.
Mr Yoti underlined that with support from the editors, “We are confident that stories produced from this programme will contribute to increased public awareness on key NCD issues and amplify the advocacy voice in promoting key evidence-based policy options and legislative reforms, which are needed to enable reduction of the modifiable risk factors of NCDs.”
The risk factors include use of tobacco use; harmful use of alcohol; physical inactivity and consumption of unhealthy diets among others with the Assistant Director, NCD Programme in the Ministry of Health, Dr James Charles Kiologwe encouraging journalists to be more informed in the community on the NCDs problems and how to avoid them.
Equally, he thanked WHO for continued support to Tanzania, urging Journalists to use the opportunity to help members of the public know their health status, adding that the WHO has reiterated its commitment to continue working with the government and partners to accelerate coordinated and multisectoral action needed to prevent and control NCDs in the country.
Source: allafrica.com
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Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared an outbreak of Marburg virus, confirming a single case in the northwestern region of Kagera after a meeting with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The confirmation follows days of speculation about a possible outbreak in the region, after the WHO reported a number of deaths suspected to be linked to the highly infectious disease.
While Tanzania’s Ministry of Health declared last week that all suspected cases had tested negative for Marburg, the WHO called for additional testing at international reference laboratories.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”Amelia Clemence, public health researcher
Subsequent laboratory tests conducted at Kagera’s Kabaile Mobile Laboratory and confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one positive case, while 25 other suspected cases tested negative, the president told a press conference in Dodoma, in the east of the country today (Monday).
“The epicentre has now shifted to Biharamulo district of Kagera,” she told the press conference, distinguishing this outbreak from the previous one centred in Bukoba district.
Tedros said the WHO would release US$3 million from its emergencies contingency fund to support efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health authorities stepped up surveillance and deployed emergency response teams after the WHO raised the alarm about nine suspected cases in the region, including eight deaths.
The suspected cases displayed symptoms consistent with Marburg infection, including headache, high fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic complications, according to the WHO’s alert to member countries on 14 January. The organisation noted a case fatality rate of 89 per cent among the suspected cases.
“We appreciate the swift attention accorded by the WHO,” Hassan said.
She said her administration immediately investigated the WHO’s alert.
“The government took several measures, including the investigation of suspected individuals and the deployment of emergency response teams,” she added.
Cross-border transmission
The emergence of this case in a region that experienced Tanzania’s first-ever Marburg outbreak in March 2023 has raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly following Rwanda’s recent outbreak that infected 66 people and killed 15 before being declared over in December 2024.
The situation is particularly critical given Kagera’s position as a transport hub connecting four East African nations.
Amelia Clemence, a public health researcher working in the region, says constant vigilance is required.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”
The Kagera region’s ecosystem, home to fruit bats that serve as natural reservoirs for the Marburg virus, adds another layer of complexity to disease surveillance efforts.
The virus, closely related to Ebola, spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever.
Transparency urged
Elizabeth Sanga, shadow minister of health for Tanzania’s ACT Wazalendo opposition party, says greater transparency would help guide public health measures.
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“This could have helped to guide those who are traveling to the affected region to be more vigilant and prevent the risk of further spread,” she said.
WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti says early notification of investigation outcomes is important.
“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” she said, noting that existing national capacities built from previous health emergencies could be quickly mobilised.
The situation coincides with leadership changes in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, with both the chief medical officer and permanent secretary being replaced.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Source: allafrica.com
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