Africa-Press – Tanzania. KIGAMBONI District Commissioner, Fatma Nyangasa has called on residents in the district to develop a tendency of having regular health checkups for heart diseases and seek appropriate treatment.
She said this on Wednesday during an occasion to mark World Heart Day held at district level at Gezaulole area.
Ms Nyangasa said as the government continues to improve health services in the district, especially at Kigamboni District Hospital, it was equally important for all residents to make use of the services available, including conducting regular checkups.
“It is important for residents to develop a habit of making regular health checkups to diagnose non-communicable diseases. Many non-communicable diseases can be diagnosed when a person does routine medical checkup,” she insisted.
The DC said integrating early detection and management of non-communicable diseases in primary healthcare has an unprecedented role in making healthcare more accessible to residents.
In addition, the DC instructed the hospital’s Medical Officer in Charge to ensure that all essential medicines for non-communicable diseases such as heart problems, asthma, diabetes and blood pressure are available adequately to help people who come for treatment and tests.
For his part, a cardiologist at the hospital, Dr Tulizo Sanga said that World Heart Day is meant to remind people of the disease effects that among others may lead to death.
He added that heart diseases are treatable and preventable but one should follow all medical procedures such as reducing carbohydrates, fats, sugars, doing exercise regularly, less use of cigarettes, alcohol and avoid overweight (obesity).
World Heart Day is observed annually on September 29. It is celebrated to spread awareness about the importance of keeping the heart fit because it is one of the most important organs in a human body.
The day is commemorated to promote different preventative measures and changes in lifestyle to avoid any cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and any other condition related to the same.
On average, more than 17 million people die from heat-related illnesses every year. This is more than that of people who die from HIV, malaria, and cancer.
