Dr Dikoloti leads the ‘Walk for Life’ campaign

The Ministry of Health led by the Minister Hon Dr Edwin G Dikoloti launched the Walk for Life campaign in Kanye on 09 October. The campaign is aimed at combating Non Communicable Diseases(NCDs) by promoting physical activity through practical,simple and cost effective ways by activating communities to help fight the epidermic.

Southern District Health Management Team Coordinator Mr Conrad Ntsupe revealed that the ministry is grappling with rising deaths due to NCDs and decided on the campaign. The campaign took health education and services to the people and encouraged them to workout as well as encourage healthy eating and the unvaccinated to get inoculated.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally. Each year, more than 15 million people die from NCDs between the ages of 30 and 69 years; 85% of these “premature” deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCDs deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.3 million), respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (1.5 million). These four groups of diseases account for over 80% of all premature NCDs deaths.

According to WHO Representative Dr Josephine Namboze, The walk for life is a global course of action that signifies the importance of human life. She urged the community to know their bodies and what affects them. Dr Namboze discouraged too much sugar and meat and suggested going back to and protecting traditional dishes.

Ms Grace Muzila, MoH Permanent Secretary said though NCDs are preventable, they keep growing because we sit all day long at work and at home. “Some drive to the shops even when they are only a kilometer away. Children copy this behaviour and will insist on calling a cab when sent a kilometer away from home,” she said.

Ms Muzila called on all stakeholders to come together for the fight against NCDs even beyond the campaign. She said if they do not encourage and teach each other the campaign would have been a waste of time.

Minister of Health Hon Dr Edwin G Dikoloti revealed that many Batswana do not exercise. He stated;”According to a 2014 WHO report, 20% of Batswana do not exercise and 31% are obese while 95% eat junk food. Therefore the campaign is not only geared towards fighting NCDs through diet but also the importance of exercising.” He further urged parents to encourage children to exercise.

The campaign is not just the beginning of a new initiative for Dr Dikoloti but a ‘commitment to demonstrate that we can come together and walk for our lives and health’. He had therefore invited political and traditional leaders of the villages along the route.

The messages would be repeated again in Moshupa, Thamaga, Kumakwane, Gabane, Nkoyaphiri and Old Naledi. The setup for health services and promotion was also the same with residents of the host location getting their health status checked and their questions answered.

The ministry plans to make the walk an annual event. According to ministry officials the campaign will take place in other areas around the country.