Please support our efforts in Fighting against NCDs in Tanzania


Introduction
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death globally, and one of the major health challenges of the 21st century. In September 2011, at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, a political declaration was made to strengthen global and
national responses to prevent and control NCDs (United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/66/2. Political Declaration of the High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases. New York: United Nations; 2012. (https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/720106/files/A_RES_66_2-EN.pdf)) As part of the declaration, WHO was given a leadership role, and subsequently established the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013–2020 (Global NCD Action Plan) adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2013.

The first global target is a 25% relative reduction in overall mortality from the four major NCDs (cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases). Further targets relate to the reduction in NCD risk factors including both behavioral risk factors (the harmful use of alcohol, physical inactivity, salt/sodium intake and tobacco use) and metabolic risk factors (raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose and obesity).

Targets were also set regarding country capacity to deal with NCDs, in particular the availability of technologies and medicines to treat NCDs, and access to drugs and counseling to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Many people in The United Republic of Tanzania (Tanzania) are at risk of getting NCDs such as diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension) and cancers due to exposure to various risk factors i.e. urbanization, unhealthy diet and reduced levels of physical activity. Lack of awareness of NCDs among the general population and a health care system with lack of capacity to adequately address NCDs are other concerns in Tanzania.
The rapid rise in NCDs was acknowledged by the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children in Tanzania (MoH Tanzania) and resulted in the development of a National Strategy for Non-communicable Diseases (2011-2015) in the recognition of the emerging importance and severity of the NCD burden.
The National NCD Strategy of MoH Tanzania has recently been updated and expanded through a second stage 2016-2020 document, which now also encompasses the integration of NCD prevention and care into other health programme areas (HIV, TB, Reproductive/Child Health), and suggests further emphasis on strengthened, integrated primary care. The 2016-2020 NCD strategy document is accessible here (http://www.worlddiabetesfoundation.org/files/tanzania-ncd-stategic-plan-2016-2020)
Mortality
NCDs are by far the leading cause of death worldwide. In 2016, they were responsible for 71% (41 million) of the 57 million deaths which occurred globally (Global Health Estimates 2016: Deaths by Cause, Age, Sex, by Country and by Region, 2000–2016. Geneva: World Health Organization). The major NCDs responsible for these deaths included cardiovascular diseases (17.9 million deaths, accounting for 44% of all NCD deaths and 31% of all global deaths); cancers (9 million deaths, 9% of all NCD deaths and 16% of all global deaths); chronic respiratory diseases (3.8 million deaths, 9% of all NCD deaths and 7% of all global deaths); and diabetes (1.6 million deaths, 4% of all NCD deaths and 3% of all global deaths) An even higher proportion (75%) of premature adult deaths (occurring in those aged 30–69 years) were caused by NCDs, demonstrating that NCDs are not solely a problem for older populations. The global probability of dying from one of the four main NCDs
in 2016 was 18%, with a slightly higher risk for males (22%) than for females (15%)

RASA’s Involvement
Reach and Support for All (RASA) was created on October 11, 2015 as a non-profit organization committed to contributing in ensuring that the people of Tanzania and elsewhere attain better living through economic, social, literacy and health development. RASA’s vision is to see a prosperous community free from poverty and diseases, with the mission to ensure that the people of Tanzania attain better living conditions through Health, Literacy and Social development

RASA currently focus on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) with more emphasis on hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM) and Obesity. We started in Mwanza city and intend to spread our activities across Tanzania.

In Mwanza, RASA has done several health awareness campaigns and screenings for hypertension, diabetes and obesity and has seen great success in the number of people that turned out for the screenings and the change in mindset toward NCDs among the local community.

RASA also had few things to learn during the screenings, for instance, we learned that the working class/working age people as compared to community screenings showed a higher prevalence of obesity and diabetes despite being composed of a younger population, also the percentage of newly diagnosed hypertensive employees was high and that some employees previously diagnosed and supposedly taking medication were still diagnosed with hypertension or diabetes. This points out an urgent need for screening services in businesses and the necessity of RASA work. Employee health programs, insisting on prevention and treatment are urgently needed.

RASA now intends to go to Geita region and expand on its activities a one more step to achieve its goal to reach the rest of the country.  We need your help to raise funds to reach the Geita community.
Here is what your gracious donation help to support:
  • Visiting various villages and communities creating awareness on NCDs and proper dieting.
  • Buying medical equipment to conduct free screening for Hypertension, Diabetes and Obesity to members of the community
  • Advocating for proper policies and implementation of the policies on healthy foods, healthy diets and rightful consumption of alcohol
  • Research to compile and examine the existing evidence base to determine the components of an effective treatment program
  • Coordination of the campaign and volunteers

The RASA’s campaign in fighting against NCDs in Tanzania is aimed at saving lives by improving awareness on NCDs and encouraging frequent medical checkups while preventing NCDs.

We are asking you to help us by supporting this project with a donation to our organization; your gift will make a difference in the lives of many Tanzanians who struggle with NCDs.
Please contact us on how to donate to our organization through our contact page below the blog. Any amount will be appreciated, but a gift of $100 will go a long way towards helping us reach our goal of $ 100,000 and help in the fight against NCDs in Geita region as a way to reach the whole of Tanzania. We greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on our progress.

Sincerely,
REACH AND SUPPORT ALL ORGANIZATION

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