16 Mar 2025

The rising threat of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) which is the leading cause of over 70 per cent of deaths worldwide calls for action.
This was said by Baylor Children’s Clinical Centre of Excellence executive director, Professor Mogomotsi Matshaba during Southern African Development Community (SADC) Healthy Lifestyle Day commemorated in Good Hope on Friday.
“This is an important occasion for us to reflect on our health, the choices we make every day, the future we want to create for ourselves and the generations to come,” he said.
Professor Matshaba told masses, after engaging in a long walk and robust physical activities, that NCDs such as heart diseases, diabetes, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and mental illness were a growing concern in Botswana and the SADC region at large.
As such, he said the World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics reflected that NCDs were the leading cause of death with approximately 71 per cent of all global deaths being attributed to NCDs.
“This is also the case with Botswana, in 2019, 46 per cent of all deaths were attributed to NCDs. These diseases are a major burden to both our health care systems and the nation at large,” he said.
He thus encouraged members of the public to refrain from leading sedentary lifestyles, avoid alcohol consumption and tobacco and eat healthy.
He further highlighted that, government had demonstrated commitment to enhancing quality of life, adding that Ministry of Health in collaboration with National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA), made targeted efforts to alleviate the burden of NCDs and mental health issues.
This commitment, he noted was demonstrated through awareness activities such as SADC Healthy Lifestyle Day aimed at bringing health services nearer to the people.
“Health represents a collective obligation, and the collaboration of all sectors of society is crucial to confronting the challenges we face. Today, we recognise not only the achievements but also the enduring efforts of various stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, community leaders, educators, and organizations that tirelessly motivate change and promote healthy living,” he said.
Professor Matshaba underscored that, Botswana as a SADC member state had aligned health policies with the regional strategy for tackling NCDs and promoting healthy lifestyles.
“SADC is committed to improving health outcomes across the region, and Botswana takes pride in being a vital contributor to this effort,” he said.
For his part, WHO Representative, Dr Fabian Ndenzako said NCDs overwhelmed health systems, impoverished families, and impacted economies negatively. “These may also lead to or worsen mental health problems,” he said.
To help countries to deal with these realities, he said WHO developed and provided policy, normative, strategic guidance and support to enable them deliver on related global commitments and targets.
NAHPA, deputy national coordinator, Mr Batlhalefi Leagajang said the organisation played a crucial role in the national response toward NCDs and AIDS.
He said in 2018, a presidential directive expanded the mandate of the then National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA) to include Non Communicable diseases leading to the establishment of NAHPA with the goal of enhancing national response to NCDs, adding that government demonstrated political commitment.
Mr Leagajang further said NAHPA participated in shaping national policies, strategies and frameworks that guide the management and prevention of NCDs.
“Through these, NAHPA helps to create a more effective and unified approach to tackling NCDs at all levels,” he said.
The 2017 WHO country report, he said attributed 46 per cent of premature deaths to NCDs adding that commemoration of the annual SADC Healthy Lifestyle was a reminder that NCDs were a health concern but with modifiable risk factors.
“You can decide to change the way you eat, you can quit alcohol and smoking tobacco and start exercising. Changing our lifestyle is not enough. We need to screen and test for NCDs. The key is early detection and early diagnosis. Early diagnosis has shown that lives can be saved,” he said while encouraging members of the public to take action. ENDS