As part of promoting long-term behavioural changes such as incorporating regular physical activity into daily routines, Northern Cape Health MEC, Mr Maruping Lekwene encourages members of the community to actively support the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders within the Province.
This encompassed raising awareness on cluster of major risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, unprotected sex and high glucose levels.
Non-communicable diseases have reached alarming proportions globally and also right here in the Northern Cape. According to Lekwene workplaces are a haven for the development of unhealthy lifestyles characterized by stress, depression, unhealthy eating habits due to lack of time and decreased opportunity for physical activity due to the nature of work.
Changes in the social and demographic determinants of health and adoption of unhealthy lifestyles contribute to a progressive and accelerated rise in morbidity and mortality due to non-communicable diseases.
Research has proved that people who are obese run a higher risk of contracting chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other forms of cancers. Furthermore, people living with obesity are twice as likely to be hospitalized if tested positive for COVID-19.
“As with other addictions, the smoking habit can and should be broken”, insisted the MEC. “According to scientific evidence there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke which can cause serious illness in adults and children”, he added.
Lekwene has also impressed upon the Department to ensure a prompt diagnosis of those with non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders. He committed towards the rolling out of an aggressive mental health education and awareness campaign, which will provide information on the symptoms of diseases and disorders and various options for mental health treatment in the province.
The MEC emphasized that public health approaches should focus on eradicating the persistent stigma and discrimination that historically linked mental illnesses and suicide, highlighting that this will encourage people to come forward and receive treatment and support during the early stages of their disorder.
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