Kabale District marked this year’s World Diabetes Day with a grand celebration at Kabale Main Stadium, uniting community members, leaders, and institutions to raise awareness about non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and promote healthier lifestyles.
The event, held under the theme “Empowering Individuals, Families, and Communities for a Better Diabetes Life in Uganda,” attracted a large turnout, including key leaders such as Kabale Municipality MP Dr. Nicholas Kamara, Deputy Mayor Kedrace Mutabazi, and State Minister for Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, Hon. David Bahati, who represented the Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng.
The celebrations kicked off with a 5km walk led by a band, traversing the streets of Kabale Town. The procession involved various groups, including the UPDF, Police, local leaders, and members of the community. Institutions such as Rugarama Hospital, Rushoroza Hospital, Rugarama Nursing and Midwifery Institute, and local schools participated in this initiative, which also featured free screenings for diabetes, hypertension, and sickle cell disease.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Lumu William, President of the Uganda Diabetes Association, raised concerns over the increasing rates of childhood obesity, noting that 20% of children are now classified as overweight, thus elevating their risk for diabetes and other related diseases. He urged parents to prioritize healthy diets for their children and called for the establishment of a national diabetes registry.
“We need to pay more attention to childhood obesity, which is an emerging health crisis. It is essential that we teach our children good eating habits from a young age to prevent the future burden of diabetes,” Dr. Lumu William said.
Dr. Charles Oyo, Commissioner in charge of Non-Communicable Diseases, voiced concerns over the limited government funding for diabetes treatment, which, despite the growing number of patients, has not increased proportionally. He called for more investment in preventative measures to tackle the rising number of diabetes cases.
“The government faces challenges with limited resources for treating NCDs, but the cost of managing these diseases continues to rise. We need to focus on prevention, and that requires a unified effort from all sectors,” remarked Dr. Charles Oyo.
Dr. Gilbert Mateka, Kabale District Health Officer (DHO), took the opportunity to address the rising trend of alcohol consumption in the region, which he identified as a leading cause of diabetes and other NCDs. He urged the public to reduce their alcohol intake and adopt healthier lifestyles.
“If you look at budgets for weddings and parties, alcohol takes up a significant portion, contributing to the rise in NCDs like diabetes. We need to reduce alcohol consumption,” said Dr. Gilbert Mateka.
Kabale Municipality MP, Dr. Nicholas Kamara, also spoke passionately about the growing concern of sugary drinks, especially soft drinks like soda, which are commonly consumed in the area. He highlighted that a single bottle of soda contains up to 12 teaspoons of sugar, a dangerous amount for one’s health. Dr. Kamara also called for stricter government measures to encourage exercise, including limiting motor vehicle use in certain areas to promote walking and physical activity.
“The consumption of sugary drinks, like soda, is alarming. A single bottle of soda contains 12 teaspoons of sugar, which is detrimental to your health. We must take action,” said Dr. Kamara.
In her speech, read by Hon. Bahati, Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng expressed her concern over the rising rates of NCDs, which are currently the leading cause of death in Uganda. She called on local governments to prioritize awareness campaigns and emphasized the importance of reducing alcohol consumption, particularly in the Kigezi region, where it is a significant contributor to NCDs.
“NCDs are now the leading causes of death in the country, and the financial cost of treating these diseases is enormous. We must work together to lower these numbers, but it all begins with personal responsibility,” Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng stated.
The Ministry of Health partnered with several organizations, including the Global Livingston Institute, Bridge of Life, Rugarama Hospital, Rushoroza Hospital, and Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, to make this event a success. The free health screenings offered during the celebrations were a key highlight, allowing many community members to learn about their health status and take preventive measures.
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