Health experts have voiced deep concern over the escalating prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Uganda, citing factors such as increased alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets rich in oils and sugary drinks, tobacco use, and physical inactivity. The issue was highlighted today during the launch of the Di-CARD Project, aimed at combating NCDs like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, held at Kamukira Health Center 4 in Kabale Municipality.
Dr. Frank Mugabe, Principal Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health’s Department of Non-Communicable Diseases, revealed alarming statistics indicating that diabetes cases in Uganda have more than doubled over the past decade. He stressed that among every 10 Ugandans screened, at least 3 are found to have hypertension, which can lead to severe complications including heart failure, kidney disease, and stroke, resulting in significant healthcare costs.
Dr. Mugabe attributed the rise in NCDs to widespread adoption of unhealthy lifestyles, including poor dietary choices, lack of exercise, and excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption. He urged the public to prioritize regular health screenings to monitor their health status and take preventive measures.
Represented by the Kabale District RDC Godfrey Nyakahuma as the Chief Guest, Dr. Olaro Charles, Director of Clinical Services at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the global and national threat posed by NCDs, noting a substantial increase in diabetes prevalence globally from 1.7% to 8.5% among adults since 1980. He underscored the urgent need for effective interventions to curb this trend, given the rapid changes in lifestyle contributing to the rise in NCDs.
Dr. Gilbert Mateka, Kabale District Health Officer, welcomed the Di-CARD Project as a critical initiative to enhance the district’s capacity in managing NCDs. He reported a significant weekly influx of new cases of diabetes and hypertension in the district and emphasized ongoing community health education efforts aimed at reducing NCD risk factors.
Mateka said, “this project required the district to select 10 health facilities to host the project, focusing on those that are hard to reach and have high patient volumes. We selected all Health Center 4s in the district, i.e., Rubaya, Maziba, Kakomo, and Kamukira, as well as Health Center 3s of Butanda, Kasheregyenyi, Kaharo, and Buhara.”
Andrew Nangoli, Project Manager for the Global Livingston Institute, highlighted the significance of the Di-CARD Project, noting its implementation in Ghana and Uganda as a pilot study. He indicated the project’s potential for expansion to other districts based on its outcomes, supported by a $1.36 million investment from partners including the World Health Organization and the World Diabetes Federation in collaboration with Kabale District Local Government.
The 4-year Di-CARD Project aims to bolster efforts against NCDs in Uganda, focusing on enhancing healthcare services and community education to mitigate the growing burden of these chronic diseases.
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