Chronic Disease Brief For Africa (June 2017) By Dara Oloyede
Kenya: Tobacco Kills 31,000 people annually
Uganda: More money spent on medication than prevention
Nigeria has the10th Highest Suicide Rate in Africa
Kenya: Diabetes cases on the rise
Gambia: Ministry of Health Challenges People to Stop Smoking
Kenya: Tobacco Kills 31,000 people annually
Each year the use of tobacco products results in the deaths of 31,000 people over the age of 30 (Merab, 2017). The Global Adults Tobacco Survey of 2014 reported that 3 million adults (11%) use tobacco products (Merab, 2017). The Global Youth Tobacco Survey reported that 10% of youth consume tobacco products (Merab, 2017). A huge contributor to rising rates of death is the affordability and accessibility of tobacco products (Merab, 2017). In a report by the UN, they noted that developing nations are targets of tobacco companies looking for new markets with less regulations (Merab, 2017). Currently there are no tobacco cessation policies in Kenya, and there is a dire need for tobacco control policies to be instituted (Merab, 2017).
For more information check out this article at nation.co.ke: Tobacco kills 7 million a year, WHO says
Uganda: More money spent on medication than prevention
Mr. Mwesigye, who is the corporation secretary at National Medical Stores (NMS), says that the government should prioritize preventative healthcare services in order to reduce the resources spent on drugs for preventable diseases (Ainebyoona, 2017). The government spends more money on medicines than on preventative health care. Health professionals have reported that 75% of the diseases they treat are preventable (Ainebyoona, 2017).
For more information check out this article at allafrica.com: Uganda: Invest More in Preventive Healthcare, Govt Told
Nigeria has the 10th highest suicide rate in Africa
According to the WHO, Globally Nigeria ranks 30th in suicide rates at 15.1 suicides per 100,000 people per year (Obinna, 2017). In Africa Nigeria ranks 10th among countries with the highest rates of suicide (Obinna, 2017). The growing rates of suicide has resulted in health professionals advocating for increased awareness raising on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression (Obinna, 2017). Medical practitioners in the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria, said that 7 million Nigerians live with depression (Obinna, 2017). They call for health profesiionsals to be trained on understanding the symptoms of depression. In addition they also call for the collobration of public and private health care organizations in order to tackle this issue and provide quality healthcare services (Obinna, 2017).
For more information check out this article at allafrica.com: Nigeria: Depression-7 Million Nigerians Risk Suicide
Kenya: Diabetes cases on the rise
Diabetes accounts for 20% of deaths in Kenya (Merab, 2017). Between 1.4 and 2.1 million Kenyans have diabetes, and researchers note that cases are rising rapidly (Merab, 2017). Since 1980, the prevalence has risen from 2.4% to 6% in 2014 (Merab, 2017). The WHO has called for action for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Dr. Njenga who is a diabetes specialist had said that despite screenings being cheap many are not being screened (Merab, 2017). .
For more information check out this article at allafrica.com: Kenya: Cases of diabetes have doubled in Kenya, warn experts
Gambia: Ministry of Health Challenges People to Stop Smoking
At a press conference for Tobacco control day, Modou Njai, the director of Health Promotion and Education from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, urged people to say no to smoking (Dem, 2017). Njai stressed the importance of the role of the media in helping to spread accurate information about the dangers of smoking (Dem, 2017). Also at this press conference he talked about the upcoming Tobacco Control Act commemoration on July 12, 2017 (Dem, 2017). This year the theme for the commemoration is “tobacco is a threat to development” (Dem, 2017).
For more information check out this article at allafrica.com: Gambia: Health Promotion Director Challenges People to Say No to Smoking
Dara Oloyede is the African News Correspondent for Engage Africa Foundation, and she is pursuing her Masters of Public Health. During her free time she likes to read books, spend time with friends, go to the movies, concerts, as well as events that celebrate different cultures.
Want to help us keep making an impact? There are different ways to support our Engage Africa Foundation. Follow us on twitter @Engageafricafdt, 'like' us on Facebook (Engage Africa Foundation), and make a donation here: http://www.engageafricafoundation.org/fundraise/?gt=donate&pid=1page