The Chairperson Parliamentary Forum on Non-communicable Diseases Hon. Dr. Nicholas Kamara Advocates for More Awareness and Funding of Non-communicable Diseases Ahead of the World Diabetes Day Celebrations.
Political Leaders together with Health Authorities and Stakeholders in Kigezi Region have called for Early Health Seeking Behaviour for Non-communicable Diseases among the General Public Ahead of the World Diabetes Day Celebrations Slated for 14th November, 2024 in Kabale Municipal Stadium in Kabale District.
The call was led by the Chairperson Parliamentary Forum on Non-communicable Diseases who doubles as the Kabale Municipality Member of Parliament Hon. Dr. Nicholas Thaddeus Kamara today during a Press conference held at Kirigime Guest House in Kirigime Ward Southern Division Kabale Municipality. He told Journalists that Diabetes is a chronical disease which requires a patient to spend money every day, And that as the Chairperson for the Parliamentary Forum on Non-communicable Diseases he takes the lead in ensuring that all Members of Parliament have enough and regular information concerning Non-communicable Diseases so that they can also be at the forefront of advocating for the prevention of the disease.
Hon. Dr. Kamara also stated that he has also been advocating for Proper Appropriation of funding for Non-communicable Diseases from both the Government of Uganda and Funders of Health systems in the Country just like the Uganda Health Institute and Uganda Cancer Institute are properly considered in the Appropriation process of the Government Funds but thanked the Government of Uganda too for the already allocated funds to their cause of fighting Non-communicable Diseases in the whole country.
Hon. Dr. Kamara further enlightened the general public about the concern of Low Life Expectancy in Kigezi Region which is attributed to increased cases of Death due to failure to prevent Non-communicable Diseases because of its associated risk factors that are categorized into Modifiable factors comprised of Poor Nutrition and Lack of Physical activity and Non Modifiable factors comprised of Age and Genetics. Following the current statistics from the Ministry of Health in Uganda for every Four (4) people, One (1) of them has Hypertension and for People above 40 Years of age, The top most cause of their death is Non-communicable Diseases.
Addressing the Journalists too, The Kabale District Health Educator, Dr. Alfred Besigensi explained that the biggest challenge they are having as Health Workers is that most people in Kigezi Region only want to go to Health Facilities after falling sick when the disease has already destroyed some body organs and when some signs and symptoms have already developed complications such as Kidney failure, Loss of sight, Failure of a Man to perform Marital Duties and Wounds that have failed to recover.
Dr. Besigensi further said that only a small section of people have been reached, And numbers keep increasing following recent statistics showing 26,916 cases of Patients who were registered in Health Facilities and 19 cases who died in Hospitals despite the fact that all Health Center III and IV’s Facilities Countrywide have all the necessary Equipment to offer medication services to Diabetic diseases and Patients. However he attributed the increased Low life Expectancy rates in Kigezi Region to increased High Levels of Alcohol Consumption in Kigezi Region.
Speaking to the Journalists too, Dr. Geoffrey Anguyo from Kihefo Clinic Kigongi told them that People should put emphasis on keeping momentum of body check ups by not only going for check ups after hearing postmortem reports of the dead at funerals and also reduce on the consumption of fatty food nutrients such as Pork and Sodas.
The World Diabetes Day for this Year for the Whole country will be celebrated in Kabale District under the theme from World Health Organization for 2024-26 ” Diabetes and Well being” on Thursday 14th November 2024 with activities such as walking around Kabale Town and having sessions of Physical Exercises.
