Translate Non –Communicable
Diseases in Local Languages -President Museveni
By Acaye Henry
President Yoweri
Museveni today morning participated in the activities to mark the 2nd National
Physical Activity Day that was flagged off at Kololo Independence Ceremonial
grounds in Kampala. The Physical Activity Day aims at informing the population
in the country of the importance of physical activity and its relevance in
fighting Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
As part of the
activities, President Museveni led a section of Ugandans in a 5-kilometre walk
around Kampala highlighting the need to fight Non-Communicable Diseases that he
said are the leading cause of death of many people in the country and
worldwide.
“Non-communicable
Diseases are diseases which are not due to infections. They come because you
have abused your body,” he said.
Today’s activity Day
ran under the theme ‘My Health, My Responsibility’. He called on the health
fraternity in the country to explain to the public what the Non Communicable
Diseases mean by translating their names in all local languages so that the
public is sensitized on the dangers and how to overcome them.
According to Globocan,
32,617 new cancer cases occurred in 2018 as 21,829 people died of the diseases
in the same year. 1 in every 4 adults has high blood pressure. A survey by the
Uganda Non-Communication Diseases reveals that 2 out of 100 Ugandan adults
suffer from diabetes.
President Museveni
welcomed the people who took part in the physical activities saying that their
coming was in response to the call not to die so early. He emphasized the need
to do physical activities adding that being fat is abnormal.
“You have heard that
it is clear fatness is abnormal. You are not supposed to be fat; you are
supposed to put in the body equal amount of what we use in terms of food,” he
advised.
He cautioned the
people about the use of tobacco, excessive alcohol and drugs among others so
that there is reduction to the dangers of the NonCommunicable Diseases.
The President later
launched a book titled ‘Presidential Initiative on Healthy Eating and Healthy
Life Style.’ The book has all the necessary information for the public to live
healthy lifestyle.
Health Minister, Dr.
Jane Aceng, thanked the President for prioritizing health saying that his
participation in the exercise sets a thrilling example for all Ugandans to
emulate. She emphasized the essence of physical activity in the reduction of
Non-Communicable Diseases, leading to healthier and more productive population
that contribute to overall national development.
According to reports,
Non-Communicable Diseases constitute a major public health in Uganda. Although
the current mortality due to the four major NonCommunicable Diseases –
cardiovascular diseases, various cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and
diabetes – stands at 27%, the percentage is expected to rise in next decade if
no steps are to combat the ailments.