BY TEWODROS KASSA
Different reports show that the socio-economic impact of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is worsening from time to time. As many agreed, globalization and interconnected cross-border trade of commodities, availability of industrial processed food; changes in lifestyle, among others are the triggering factors for the exacerbating NCDs impact on human life.
With regard to this, The Ethiopian Herald had a short stay with Health, Development and Anti-Malaria Association (HDAMA) Deputy Executive Director Aklilu Getnet. Excerpts,
Would you tell us the objectives of HDAMA and its accomplishments?
The Health, Development and Anti Malaria Association (HDAMA) is a civil society organization, which was first established in 1998 to respond to the devastating malaria outbreak. Currently, the organization has renewed its license and registered as a local civil society by the organization of civil society’s authority as per the civil society proclamation no. 1113/2019. It envisions seeing a healthy society living in a safe environment where the necessary livelihood conditions are fulfilled.
HDAMA is committed to working with key stakeholders and the community in identifying needs and providing support and services, focusing on the most vulnerable health issues.
This includes; eliminating malaria, preventing and controlling the spread; and impacts of HIV and AIDS, preventing major communicable and non-communicable diseases, improving adolescent, reproductive, maternal and child health and wellbeing and promoting environmentally friendly practices to prevent climate change and vulnerability.
During the last 24 years, HDAMA has executed a range of health and development interventions and contributed to the reduction of morbidity and morbidity due to malaria, HIV and AIDS and other communicable diseases; environmental and community health and wellbeing improvement; provision of care and support to orphan and vulnerable children; increase the public level of understanding about the harms of trans-fatty acid in association with non-communicable diseases; establish youth centers to access the young to information, education and recreation services; establish a health Centre at Bahir Dar town to ensure access to low-cost health services.
It is committed to preventing and controlling communicable and non-communicable diseases. Therefore, non-communicable diseases are becoming the biggest challenge in our society. These diseases account for 52 percent; and the number is rapidly rising. Therefore, we are doing awareness activities. Among our achievements, we have done media and communication activities so that a tobacco control law is passed and the Ethiopian Parliament has a strong law that has been awarded by WHO.
How do you assess the contributions of HDAMA and other associations towards building a healthy and productive generation in the country?
From HDAMA’s side, works are being done to prevent diet-related non-communicable diseases. There are other local implementing partners with our association; and we are working together. Our association is doing its media and communication works. We are doing various awareness-raising activities. Disseminating radio and television advertisements themed on diet-related NCDs and their socio-economic impact and burden, placing billboards in places where the public can see them, providing capacity-building training for media people, conducting social media campaigns, preparing and publishing various brochures, posters, stickers, and fact sheets are some of the activities that are being carried thus far.
How much Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) become challenging to the health of individuals at this time?
Globally, 71 percent of all the deaths which is about 47 million per year attributed to Non-Communicable Diseases. Likewise, 52 percent of all diseases are caused due to NCDs. Hence Non-Communicable Diseases have social, economic and health impacts at individual, household and societal level.
What are the factors exacerbating the situation of NCDs in Ethiopia?
NCDs are the leading cause of mortality worldwide and a serious public health threat to developing countries like Ethiopia. Lack of response to NCDs, detection, screening, and treatment, the health facilities are not capable to do palliative care to the prevention of non-communicable diseases. So it is observed that many people are affected by these diseases and die. The major aggravating factor is the frequent consumption of an unhealthy diet; the harmful use of alcohol; tobacco use and lack of physical activities. The recently observed use of industrially processed foods and fast foods in big towns is another risk factor for non-communicable diseases. The chemicals added to these foods and drinks for preservation and to bring flavor or tone, as well as a large amount of sugar, salt, and saturated fat content, can cause non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, diabetes, and cancer.
What is expected from the government and private sectors regarding creating more awareness about NCDs and controlling NCDs?
Non-communicable diseases are preventable through early intervention. Yet, once they occur, they are life-long and put a heavy burden on the country’s economy and the health sector, so preventive work must be strengthened. Government can introduce various policies to reduce NCDs; should take the initiative to enact strong and comprehensive laws to control unhealthy foods to protect the lives of citizens. For instance, levy tax on ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks and subsidize fruit and vegetables can be a good move in this regard. Besides, civil society organizations and other pertinent actors are expected to do a lot of work in raising the awareness of the community and being the voice of the community
Would you tell us the socio-economic impacts of NCDs in the country?
Currently, Ethiopia loses 31.3 billion Birr per year, indirect costs due to loss of workforce and reduced productivity, and 18 percent of dying prematurely from one of the four main NCDs. Indirect economic losses due to NCDs were modeled from increased absenteeism, reduced capacity at work, and losses from premature death and were calculated by the human capital method.
What do you recommend cultivating a healthy lifestyle free from NCDs?
For a society like ours to live free from non-communicable diseases, the first perception of society must be changed; because an unhealthy diet is the main risk factor for these diseases. We need to promote healthy dietary habits and physical activity. There are those who try to link this with poverty, but this is a misconception. Reducing salt, sugar, and saturated fat from our daily diet and not eating processed foods on a regular basis is imperative to avoid the risks. We should pay attention to the food we eat; and be aware what is in our food in addition to quitting tobacco use, and harmful use of alcohol.
Finally, if you have any message you want to transmit you are welcome.
Non-communicable diseases are public health threats affecting the health and life of people in Ethiopia. So, we should be careful about our diet preferences (avoid food with salt, sugar, and fat), reduce the excessive use of alcohol, do physical activities regularly and avoid tobacco use. The government should regulate unhealthy food.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 18 SEPTEMBER 2022
