Walking to fight NCDs
Before you finish reading this article, at least one person would be dead because of diabetes, BP, cancer or other noncommunicable diseases(NCDs). The Ministry of Health in Botswana is very concerned about the continued loss of live and escalating costs due to NCDs and has launched the “Walk for Life”campaign to beat NCDs. Kickstarted in Kanye on 09 October 2022, the campaign is an effort by the ministry to take the responsibility of health back to the individuals as a way to prevent and control NCDs as well as improve health in Botswana. During the campaign the ministry and partners provided a one stop shop of medical checkups and other health services.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign Minister Hon Dr Edwin G Dikoloti said the scale of the problem required urgent attention.
Led by Health Minister Hon Dr Edwin G Dikoloti , the walk started at five in the morning of October 7th at Sejelo and had a pit stop at Polokwe where Kgosi Mmoshe Nkolo and his people were waiting before proceeding to Moshupa where the health team and partners activated the natives. The following morning the walkers who included 75 year old Stanley Monageng set off for Thamaga.
Before reaching the destination for the day the campaign stopped briefly at GoKoodisa. Kgosi Edison Gobuamang and his mophato(regiment)’Maakakgomo’ were eagerly waiting for the the walkers. As far as they were concerned the launch wasn’t yet complete and they were about to seal it. “Nothing can start without the bang of a gun,” one of the regiment members explained.
The overjoyed villagers and welcomed and joined the campaign after they fired a shot in the air to signal their commitment. Kgosi Gobuamang even gave Minister Dikoloti a walking staff to strengthen his resolve. At the Thamaga activation event the Minister sat with the regiment proudly holding on to the staff. He even showed it off while beaming with homour during his speech.
Next day the destination was Kumakwane. The residents lined up and had their blood sugar and blood pressure tested while testing for HIV and Covid19 were also provided. Deputy Permanent Secretary Dr Tshepo Machacha didn’t mince his words when he repeated the minister’s message.
“Its very bad!” he exclaimed and added; “When you see people braving so much heat to walk such a long distance, it’s a sign of the urgency of the situation.” The walk is Dr Machacha’s brainchild.
The following day, just outside Gabane, Kgosi Seeletso Pule and Greater Gaborone were waiting for Kweneng DHMT to hand over the campaign.
A few motor bikes and people from Gabane also joined the campaign as it entered Gabane. The villagers queued for their free check ups after listening to campaign messages.
While lined up for her exam Tuelo Kagiso, 72 hailed Minister Dr Dikoloti as a health hero. “This initiative is long over-due. This should have been done a long time ago before we died. Imagine how much more he would have done for us if he had found something in place,” said the pensioner.
Nkisang Nkile, 58 was also happy about the walk and messages. She joined the walk just before Gabane. She said; “Though I feel tired, somehow I feel different, energetic. I think doing this regularly would be very helpful.”
On Friday morning the activation moved to Nkoyaphiri where the Mogoditshane community was activated. Kgosi Keabetswe Dihutso urged Mogoditshane residents to keep walking and to take advantage of the services as well as eat healthy.
Old Naledi gave a resounding welcome to the walkers on their last lap. From old BURS headquarters where the Botswana Police Band was waiting the fanfair began as the walkers marched through the ever busy Old Naledi streets.
At the finish line, Old Naledi grounds resident entertainment ensemble Mafitlhakgosi Traditional Dance Troupe started raising pase of their beat as Minister Dikoloti led ‘Walk for Life’ approaches. The campaign has featured many performances from resident entertainers but Botsogo Drama Group was a permanent feature of the programme with their hillarious but educational portrayal of the work out campaign.
Dr Machacha reiterated his message and added that gender based violence stems from poor bedroom perfomance due to NCDs. “If you let your tummy grow too big, the neighbours will help you,” he stated.
Machacha is among those who walked all the 96 km besides the remarkable Mr Monageng, ‘The Champion Walker’ or the Walking Uncle Stan as he says he’s been called. He’s not new to walking. Early in the new millenium he was at death’s door but walking gave him a second chance. Ever since then he has walked around preaching the gospel as far as Francistown from Gaborone.