Chronic Disease Brief For Africa (November 2016) By Dara Oloyede
November 2016
Diabetes Awareness Drive in Kamuli, Uganda
Dunkin’ Donuts Opens in South Africa
Nigeria: Gov’t Urged to Improve Implementation of Nutrition Policy
Diabetes: Third Cause of Death in Burundi
Nigeria: Air Pollution Puts Many At Risk of Chronic Diseases
Strengthening Research Capacity on Non-Communicable Diseases in Africa
Diabetes Awareness Drive in Kamuli, Uganda
The Kamuli Municipal Council in Kamuli has created a campaign to increase awareness about diabetes. One of the council’s goal is to raise about ShS56 million to build a diabetes clinic. In addition to building a clinic, they plan to use part of the funds raised to “buy testing kits, support the clinic services and attract more specialized medical doctors” (allafrica.com). Data shows that in the Kamuli hospital alone more than 600 patients have diabetes (allafrica.com).
For more information check out this article at allafrica.com: Uganda: Kamuli Launches Diabetes Awareness Drive
Dunkin’ Donuts Opens in South Africa
This October Dunkin’ Donuts, an American fast food chain, opened at its first location in Cape Town. A South African company called 'Grand Parade Investments' is leading the opening of this franchise, and by the end of this year, 5 more businesses will open in South Africa. Grand Parade Investments is also planning on opening franchises of Baskin-Robbins, which primaily serves icecream. Many South Africans already face challenges purchasing food items as prices rise, and “the convenience and lower cost of fast food could be a health hazard as cases of non-communicable diseases, exacerbated by poor diets, begin to increase” (qz.com).
For more information check out this article at qz.com: Dunkin Donuts is bringing its syrupy iced coffee to South Africa as the country weighs a sugar tax
Nigeria: Gov’t Urged to Improve Implementation of Nutrition Policy
An organization called 'Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria' (CS-SUNN) is urging the state and federal government to improve the 2014 to 2019 National Strategic Plan of Action for Nutrition (NSPAN). This policy was enacted in the states of Kaduna, Nasaraw, and Niger. A report on this policy found that the funding for each states nutrition program was low. Beatrice Eluaka who is the project director of CS-SUNN is advocating for the full implementation of the NSPAN. She is calling for increased funding in a timely manner, monitoring of how funds are used, and assessment of the activities they are used for. She also asking for increased provisions to specifically address child and family health (allafrica.com).
For more information check out this article at allafrica.com: Nigeria: Gov’t Urged to Implement Nutrition Policy
Diabetes-Third Cause of Death in Burundi
The Minister of Public Health, Dr. Josiane Nijimbere, says that “diabetes is the 3rd leading cause of morbidity and mortality after malaria and HIV/AIDS” (allafrica.com). Recent surveys in Burundi show that there are increasing numbers of those with diabetes. The WHO projects that globally, mortality rates due to diabetes will double by 2030 (allafrica.com).
For more information check out this article at allafrica.com: Burundi: Diabetes-Third Cause of Death in the Country
Nigeria: Air Pollution Puts Many At Risk of Chronic Diseases
The Minister of Environment in Nigeria, Amina Mohammed, said that “a large percent of the nation’s population is at risk of lung cancer, stroke and other chronic respiratory disease due to exposure to toxic emissions” (allafrica.com). The Minister spoke at length at National Environment Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency about how many die early because of the toxic emissions that are released into the air. Environmental pollutants negatively impact public health. Improving air quality is a nationwide responsibility in order to protect and promote environmental and public health (allafrica.com).
For more information check out this article at allafrica.com: Nigeria: Air Pollution - Nigerians at Risk of Lung Cancer, Stroke
Strengthening Research Capacity on Non-Communicable Diseases in Africa
Until recently, non-communicable diseases were mostly talked about as issues that impact aging and wealthy countries. Non-communicable diseases (NCD) don’t just affect these populations, in fact they are a rising burden in low and middle income countries. Many of the low and middle income countries who have rising rates of non-comunicable diseases, at the same time are still fighting to reduce the burden of communicable diseases. Dr. Joseph Kibachio who is the head of the Ministry of Health In Kenya, spoke at a NCD Symposium in Nairobi about the steps that need to be taken to tackle NCDs in sub-Saharan Africa. He specifically talked about the need to develop “implementation science research agenda” tailored to each country, and a “collaborative research roadmap to inform policy, planning and implementation” (aphrc.org).
For more information check out this article at aphrc.org: Strengthening research capacity on non-communicable diseases in africa: the need for a new approach
Dara Oloyede is the African News Correspondent for Engage Africa Foundation, and she is pursuing her MPH in Public Health. During her free time she likes to read books, hang out with friends, go to the movies, concerts, as well as events that celebrate different cultures.
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