By Veronica Mrema
In the past, it was rare to find a young person suffering from diseases such as heart conditions, diabetes, hypertension, or cancer within the community.
Similarly, children born and living with such illnesses were hardly encountered in Tanzania.
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) were largely associated with older adults.
However, over time, this narrative shifted as young people and children increasingly began to suffer from these conditions, escalating into a significant health threat.
“Back then, when you heard someone had a heart disease, it was an elderly person, someone advanced in age.
But now, you hear even children have heart conditions,” shared Elishaza Kidau during a special interview with M24 TANZANIA MEDIA.
He noted that in earlier years, people consumed more traditional foods, unlike today, where modern diets have taken over.
At 53 years old and a resident of Tabata, Dar es Salaam, He emphasized the urgent need for nutritional education and guidance on healthy lifestyles within the community.
A decade ago, professionals from various sectors convened to deeply examine the challenge of NCDs in Tanzania.
“The major concern was the rapid growth of NCDs. [Studies showed that in 2012] they were increasing at an alarming rate,”.
.., said Happy Nchimbi, Project Manager at TANCDA, in a special interview with M24 TANZANIA MEDIA.
She added, “Diabetes prevalence was at 9%, hypertension 26%, cancer was on the rise, and now we face mental health challenges.”
“We saw the need to establish this coalition and involve ministries to ensure collective action in this fight.”
One critical issue identified was the low awareness level within communities about NCDs.
“There [was and still is] a lot of misinformation [in the community] whenever someone is diagnosed with these conditions,” she said.
This points to a clear need for continuous education, despite the progress made in addressing these challenges.
ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR
Ten years into its establishment, one might wonder what milestones TANCDA has achieved and how Tanzania is progressing in this battle.
“Initially, even the term Non-Communicable Diseases was a challenge to articulate [within communities],”
.., said Dr. Omary Ubuguyu, Assistant Director for NCDs, Mental Health, and Accidents at the Ministry of Health.
He explained, “But nowadays, you see people jogging, and they are not just exercising; they say they are doing it to prevent NCDs.
“You notice there is some increased awareness within communities [though minimal]. Over the past decade, TANCDA has played a significant role as a mirror for inspiring public education.
“[This includes] encouraging other NCD-related associations, civil society organizations, and individuals living with NCDs to take the message to the community.”
He emphasized that promoting public education has become a cornerstone of these efforts.
He shared that TANCDA has closely collaborated with the Ministry of Health and the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI) in training healthcare workers.
“For instance, in the past two years, we trained about 3,000 workers in 710 health facilities nationwide, especially at the primary healthcare level.
“The goal is to ensure services are delivered effectively. Together, we developed strategies that helped us engage partners and stakeholders to achieve this goal.”
Apart from training, TANCDA has collaborated with the government in providing medical equipment and some essential drugs for patients.
“The aim is to ensure that diagnosed patients can access treatment. TANCDA’s contribution is significant in this ‘battle’ against NCDs,” he said.
RESEARCH ON NCDs
How has Tanzania benefited from TANCDA’s efforts in research on these diseases that now affect a large portion of its population?
“In the area of research, I am one of the beneficiaries. Over the past three years, they have sponsored nearly five PhDs,” shared one expert.
She added, “They have also supported ten master’s programs and one undergraduate degree for 20 individuals.
"For three consecutive years, they have funded innovation and research competitions in universities nationwide.
“We’ve seen many talents and innovations emerge from these initiatives, and together we have developed a research strategy for NCDs. Many studies have been conducted collaboratively.”
Currently, over five studies are ongoing, supported either directly by TANCDA or through their facilitation of external funding.
“They are also funding large-scale surveys, such as the ongoing national STEP survey, which is under WHO’s guidance but with significant contributions from TANCDA.”
She noted that some researchers studying cancers have also received funding from TANCDA.
Each United Nations (UN) member state is expected to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
So, how far has Tanzania progressed toward Goal 3, which emphasizes health and well-being for all?
“We have made substantial progress. If you look at it, there isn’t a single indicator that we haven’t addressed,” Dr. Ubuguyu noted.
“This progress isn’t solely due to the Ministry of Health or the government. Stakeholders and TANCDA have played a pivotal role, serving as an umbrella organization alongside others.
“We estimate that we’ve achieved roughly one-third of the SDG targets, thanks in large part to TANCDA’s support and partnership with other stakeholders.”
COST CHALLENGES
The cost of treatment remains a significant barrier in this fight.
“It is a challenge, particularly for individuals and the community at large,” Dr. Ubuguyu said.
“This is why the government has introduced universal health insurance,” he added.
“No government worldwide can claim to independently provide care for every person suffering from NCDs through internal budgets alone.
“Thus, we use multiple strategies: earmarking specific budgets, creating pooled funds (often through insurance schemes), and engaging donors.
"TANCDA has greatly assisted us in this third area by securing donor funding.” He added.
Behavioral change to prevent NCDs remains a significant challenge in this fight.
“It’s not easy; it’s like preaching against theft or adultery in places of worship it’s an individual issue tied to personal habits,” he explained.
“Campaigns must be ongoing, which requires substantial funding. For instance, our meeting today involved costs.
"Having partners like TANCDA to support us is invaluable since government budgets alone cannot sustain this effort,” he added.
CONTINUING COLLABORATION
Happy reflected positively on TANCDA’s decade-long journey, highlighting its critical role in fostering robust partnerships.
“TANCDA, the Ministry of Health, TAMISEMI, and other ministries have worked tirelessly to combat NCDs,” she noted.
“We’ve created widespread awareness in communities, schools, and various groups about NCD prevention.
“We’ve also built capacity among journalists nationwide, reaching out to online platforms, newspapers, television, and radio.
“Additionally, we’ve brought together individuals living with these conditions to educate others.
"We’ve collaborated with teachers and many others, and this collaboration will continue as we advance the fight,” she concluded.
Chapisha Maoni