More than half of the National Health Insurance Funds (NHIF) is spent to treat non-communicable diseases which, according to NHIF, has been fueled by irresponsible consumption and poor life styles.The fund reports that over 40 percent of millions of Dar es Salaam residents are now under threat of developing obesity and contacting a myriad of non-communicable diseases.
NHIF Quality Assurance Officer Dr Raphael Mallaba told this paper mid this week that, obesity and most all non-communicable diseases are caused by poor lifestyles including too much drinking, smoking and consumption of foods with too much cholesterol.
He was speaking from the Mnazi Mmoja grounds in the city where the Public Service Week is been observed.
He said it is in awareness of the growing problem that, NHIF decided to, this year, set up a free checkup clinic at the grounds where they are testing for non-communicable diseases including diabetes, blood pressure, breast cancer and general BMI.
“These diseases can be controlled if a person avoids food that is high in cholesterol and generally engages in physical exercises,” he said.
NHIF Senior Communication Officer Luhende Singu said the fund covers up to 16 percent of the country and is targeting is to reach 30 percent by 2015.
Public Service Week exhibition started on Monday and will be observed through the next Monday.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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