Rogers Mpiirwe who lives in Kageti village Nyakasere Sub County in Kiruhura district is among the many Ugandans suffering from the Non-communicable diseases whose signs in most cases are revealed in their late stages. The 32-year-old revealed he developed breathing difficulties in 2011. “I thought it was an allergy and bought some medication but there was no improvement.” Mpiirwe was later diagnosed with Vulvic heart disease which required open heart surgery. “I was diagnosed and the doctor told me that my heart was not in good condition.” Although Mpiirwe is hopeful that he will regain his health as his name is on the list of patients scheduled to undergo open heart surgery at the Uganda Heart Institute, the costs are giving him a headache. “His condition requires an operation and which operation is due any time from now but what is holding us is finances. The money required throughout is around 36 million.” Said, Mpiirwe’s Relative.

At a press conference held in January, Health Ministry officials revealed that non-communicable diseases have been the leading cause of many deaths. “40% of all the people who die are due to those diseases.” Said, Prof. Charles Ibingira – Principal, MAK. College of Health Sciences. They advised that routine medical checkups are important to prevent a health breakdown at a later stage. “Because non-communicable diseases once diagnosed early something can be done.” Said, Dr. Gerald Mutungi – Head of NCD’s MOH.