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Chronicle Correspondent
Adhering to prescribed preventive and palliative measures is critical for people with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

This is because they have high risk of developing severe or even fatal conditions.  The conditions can create comorbidities with opportunistic conditions such as Covid-19 and lead to death.

This was said by Wellness Zimbabwe Philanthropic Trust programme director Dr Boniface Mandishona during a seminar on wellness held recently .

“Following preventive and palliative protocols especially to people with underlying conditions is critical,” he said.

“They should not be complacent because they have a high risk of developing severe or even fatal conditions which in recent years have been exacerbated by opportunistic conditions such as the Covid-19 virus. Non communicable diseases, which used to be viewed as diseases of the affluent have found their way into Third World countries such as Zimbabwe and are regarded as the second highest killer globally, contributing to 39 % of preventable deaths.”

Dr Mandishona also indicated that the spread of NCDs and drug abuse was on the increase due to inactivity since people were under Covid-19 lockdown. The situation restricted activities and increased abuse of drugs within communities.

Speaking at the same event the trust’s strategic advisor Dr Edison Bhadharai indicated that the increase of NCDs within communities is due to lack of knowledge of positive living as well as increase of consumption of unhealthy diets. He added that it is important that communities be educated on threats of NCDs and drug and alcohol abuse as these have become biggest killers among our generation.

Prominent agronomist and wellness advocate, Mr Ivan Craig called on various health agencies and corporates to join hands and fight the silent killers everywhere for everyone. He indicated that the worst affected were the less privileged and vulnerable groups. These groups include children, women, the elderly and those living with disabilities.

He also indicated that besides seeking medical attention early, the public was supposed to revert to traditional means of mitigating as well as managing the NCDs  using natural means such as physical exercises, healthy diets, herbs,  desisting from alcohol and drug abuse and general social wellbeing.