Scribes schooled on NCDs, Covid-19 links

THERE is a serious link between non- communicable diseases (NCDs) and Covid-19 cases especially, with people suffering from the pandemic being at high risk of dying from the disease, Zambia Heart and Stroke Foundation member Simweembo Chabota has said.

Dr Chabota said it was sad that most of the people in the community were not aware that they had underlying conditions such as hypertension.

According to the World Health, NCDs statistics show that there are about three million deaths related to NCDs every month.

He said this at a media workshop organised by the Zambia Non-Communicable Disease Alliance (NCD Alliance) to train journalists on Covid-19 and NCDs diseases yesterday.

“NCDs are diseases that could not be transmitted from one person to another such as diabetes, cancer and respiratory ailments and that when one has such chronic conditions mostly their immune system is impaired and they risk getting Covid-19,” Dr Chabota said.

He noted that most people had fallen prey to NCDs due to their unhealthy eating habits, excess alcohol intake, lack of exercising and tobacco usage among others.

Dr Chabota said tobacco had a direct effect on the lungs especially if a person was to contract Covid-19.

He urged people to take precautions and avoid contracting the pandemic as well as to visit health facilities to be screened for NCDs.

Meanwhile, NCD Alliance chairperson Fastone Goma said the organisation was concerned that most of the people suffering from Covid-19 were living with NDCs.

Professor Goma said given the vulnerability of Covid-19 to people living with NCDs it was key to ensure a vibrant and strong media team that could elevate the voices of communities and people living with NCDs.

“We realise that the media has a critical role to play in raising awareness on the linkages between NCDs and COVID 19.

We are going to rely on the media. We want you to also take advantage of our social media platforms such as Facebook,” Prof Goma said.