Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance Malawi (NCD) has called on civil society organisations (CSOs) to intensify awareness campaigns on non-communicable diseases to help people access health services.
NCD Alliance Malawi member Dingani Mithi said this on Saturday at Malukula Primary School in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chowe in Mangochi during an open day to commemorate World Mental Health Day and the Global Week on NCDs.
The commemoration combined awareness activities and the provision of health services to people.
“There is a need for CSOs to raise awareness on the importance of seeking
healthcare for people to know their conditions to reduce the burden of preventable deaths and disabilities caused by NCDs,” said Mithi.
He also emphasised the need for health facilities to stock sufficient NCD medicines.
Mangochi District Hospital NCD coordinator George Goche commended the alliance for the awareness campaign and bringing services closer to people.
“We thank the alliance for this timely support. We believe the messages shared and the services offered will go a long way in saving lives,” he said.
Goche said the district’s health office continues to sensitise communities on the importance of early diagnosis and regular medical check-ups to prevent complications linked to NCDs.
One of the beneficiaries, Salama Alabi, said she was grateful for the opportunity to access free health checks.
“We get these services at Mangochi District Hospital, where we spend about K10 000 on transport. Since the services were brought closer today, I thought it wise to have my blood pressure and weight checked,” she said.
The event was organised under the project Scaling Up the Implementation Capacity for NCD Prevention and Management Strategies with funding from the World Diabetes Foundation through Partners in Health and technical support from the Ministry of Health
