Africa-Press – Botswana. Sedentary living has been identified as one of the contributing causes of non-communicable diseases (NCDs such as high blood pressure and diabetes which are on the increase in Botswana.
“Having little physical activity is one of the causes of NCDs. We therefore encourage you to take time to exercise every week,” attendants of a SADC Healthy Lifestyle commemorative event held in Molapowabojang were told recently.
Officiating at the event, coordinator of Rena Le Seabe, a non-governmental organisation, Mr Oaitse Pelaelo urged residents to engage in regular physical exercise to reduce chances of developing NCDs.
Held under the theme; Walk the Talk, Beat NCDs, the event saw participants being shown how to keep fit through aerobic exercises and fun games.
They were then encouraged to form a community health club.
Mr Pelaelo said his organisation was established in 2016 by young people with the aim of promoting wellness and behavioural change primarily among adolescents.
He said it focused on issues of alcohol and substance abuse as well as teenage pregnancy.
Mr Pelaelo said through its partnership with National AIDS & Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA), the organisation had since 2020 been conducting awareness campaigns in Lobatse public schools and extended them to Molapowabojang this financial year.
“We are concerned about these issues affecting young people in the society and want to mold them into better citizens,” he said.
Mr Pelaelo said with NAHPA, Rena Le Seabe planned to prevent the increase of NCDs and spread of HIV through public health campaigns.
“We do that by sensitising the community about health issues and encourage the uptake of health services. We encourage people to go and get tested for NCDs and HIV instead of thinking they are well without knowing what is happening inside their bodies,” he said.
Molapowabojang senior chief representative, Mr Kedirile Letshabo encouraged members of the community to heed the call from Rena Le Seabe and start taking care of their bodies by engaging in physical exercise.
He further said they should encourage each other to adopt healthy lifestyles to avoid developing NCDs.
According to a 2016 WHO report, NCDs account for 46 per cent of deaths in Botswana.
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