Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are increasingly becoming a steady silent pandemic. Speaking during the recent State of The Nation Address, His Excellency Dr Mokgweetsi EK Masisi said the World Health Organisation statistics of 2020 show that NCDs account for 46 percent of all pre-mature deaths in Botswana.

Dr Masisi noted that critical risk factors predisposing Batswana to NCDs include, physical and emotional stress, tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating habits and substance abuse. “Batswana betsho, deaths associated with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are preventable. I want to encourage you to adopt healthy lifestyles to avert the challenge of Non-Communicable Diseases”

Recently reports from the African Development Bank (AfDB)indicates that Botswana is in a category of countries (13 in all) where between 2022 and 2030, NCDs will dominate the overall disease burden (74 percent) while communicable diseases will decrease by 45 percent. Injuries will decrease by 8 percent and by 2030, the total disease burden will be 24,045 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 100 000 people. The AfDB say that while Botswana will face a lower overall disease burden, it must adapt its health services to new challenges, related predominantly to NCDs.

This has since seen the Government of Botswana through the Ministry of Health (MoH) shift focus from the COVID-19 Pandemic to NCDs given the high burden of NCDs in the country. According to the recent Press Release from Ministry of Health, the ministry will henceforth, give more focus than it has, to combating the scourge of NCDs. The recent Walk for life initiative that was led by the Minister of Health, Hon. Dr Edwin G. Dikoloti, kick started an aggressive campaign by the ministry, to educate Batswana about NCDs and appropriate preventative measures.

“Although all NCDs are cause for concern as they are some of the leading causes of deaths for most people in the country, the most prevalent NCDs in Botswana include hypertension, heart diseases, type 2 diabetes and several cancers. These diseases as well as other NCDs, are mainly exacerbated by unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, smoking and harmful use of alcohol. Ninety five percent (95%) of Batswana are believed to eat unhealthy diets. The ministry, therefore, advises Batswana to take personal responsibility for their health by amongst others, eating healthy diets and engaging in physical activity,” read part of the release.