Globally Non Communicable diseases present a rapidly growing burden accounting for 70% of all deaths worldwide each year. This translates into 15 million deaths 80% of these happening in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda, Non Communicable diseases including injuries account for 40% of all deaths each year. According to Makerere University College of Health Sciences, the four most common diseases are cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases.
The State Minister for International Relation Okello Oryem warned that everyone was susceptible to developing a Non Communicable disease. Oryem called for early screening. “I’m one of the victims of this Non Communicable disease, luckily I suffered from one of them I suffered from high blood pressure like most of you do. And am sure most of you deny it but am sure and I can comfortably say that over 70% of you have no doubt about it. If you doubt it, if you hide it or even denial you suffer the consequences. I will start arguing that every day and every other week you make you go and test your blood pressure and make sure that your blood pressure is being controlled by taking your tablets. I came across my blood pressure suddenly by accident, I didn’t know I was suffering blood pressure until I met Dr. Omongin of the Heart Institute who told me that Mr. Minister why don’t you come for a test at the Heart Institute.”
The four main shared behavioral risk factors for NCDs were tobacco use, excessive alcohol drinking, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet. “They keep waiting for the President to contribute who is not even our Alumni. So tell your colleagues that for us who are in Makerere we know them and we know that they are not participating. They must participate, we shall soon have a roll call of those who participate and we put you in the papers where we will say the following are Alumni but absent in action. I hope you heard that and you will communicate it and the media if you are here please write it that there are none participating Ministers and MPs and you see how much they bring in they don’t want to be on the list.”
The College of Health Sciences drive was intended for creating awareness in the population as well raising funds needed for research and treating of victims. The campaign solely relied on campaign’s fundraising drives. King Ceaser Augustus Mulenga, Honorary Council General Vietnam in Uganda who contributed 100 million to the fight said they will be supported with a 50 million annual contribution from the St. Augustine International University. The Institution partnered with Makerere University in the campaign. An International Summit was organized to bring global awareness to the problem as faced Sub-Saharan Africa.
