The Ministry of Health (MOH) of Uganda in partnership with the Africa Test and Treat Initiative (ACTTI) organized the second conference against cancer and other Non-Communicable Diseases (CDs).
The conference took place on February 1st upto 3rd 2024 at Imperial Hotel, Kampala, Uganda where the Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero as the guest speaker, members of parliament (MPs), directors, national and international attendees, and representatives from different companies were the attendees.
The theme of the conference was “Together We Challenge Those in Power to Close the Care Gap” that aims at enhancing Awareness, Early Detection, and Diagnosis for Quality Cancer Prevention and Control as well as non-communicable diseases.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa
Simply put, NCDs refers to a group of conditions that are not mainly caused by an acute infection, leading to long-term health consequences and often create a need for long-term treatment and care. These conditions include cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung illnesses, hepatitis B, etc which are at a rampat growth in Africa.
As a modern medical and healthcare we are always ready to engage and collaborate with individual or brands that align with our purpose for better service delivery in the industry.
For this reason, as East Africa Medical Center was honored with the invitation to attend this year’s Africa Test and Treat Initiative Conference represented by our General Manager, Mr. Abiselom Bahta.
The 2nd Africa Test and Treat Initiative Conference kick-started with impactful discussions on NCDs, focusing on critical issues such as cancer, unhealthy lifestyles, and substance abuse.
The commitment of all participants, including government officials, international guests, and industry representatives, reflects a collective effort to enhance awareness, early detection, and diagnosis for better cancer and non-communicable diseases prevention and control.
Dr. Aceng expressed her concerns towards cancer disease as the second highest cause of death in the world after cardiovascular killer diseases. She asserted that only in 2018, 9.6 million people died from cancer, and over 18 million had illnesses of the same disease.
She added that all 50% of all new cancer cases, and 70% of global cancer deaths occur in low income earning countries, such as Uganda.
Therefore, the minister went further and called upon attendees and all Ugandans in general to do whatever it takes and ensure that they are not victims of cancer disease.
In order to achieve this objective, Dr. Aceng made fundamental recommendations by advising Ugandans to embrace checking their blood pressure status at least once every two weeks, doing exercises every day, eating healthy food among others.
She however emphasized on prevention approach not only for cancer, but also other diseases as the best way for citizens from lower and mid developed countries like Uganda rather than waiting to get ill and go for treatment.
Understanding Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), especially their causes, types, and impact.
“Add according the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 50% of cancers can be prevented just by avoiding or at least exposure to the risks, including cigarettes and tobacco smoking, excessive alcohol intake, poor diet of junk foods, sedentary lifestyle.” – noted Dr. Aceng
The botomline
The bottom line is that however much cancer is a deadly disease to humanity; it is still preventable, especially if we join hands as a people. This can be done by all of us understanding Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), especially their causes, types, and impact, preventing risk factors like accidents, emphasizing on cancer, unhealthy lifestyle, cigarettes and tobacco smoking, excessive alcohol intake, etc.
Interestingly, Dr. Aceng in his speech called upon all citizens to enforce a call to challenge those in power to close the care gap resonates as a unified goal for the well-being of communities.
Well done