Namibia, 24 February 2012 -- The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) on the occasion of Healthy Lifestyle Day, urges Namibians to take action and adopt healthier lifestyles to prevent the growing incidence of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) or Lifestyle Diseases. The prevention of NCDs is high on Namibia’s agenda. On 20 September 2011, President Hifikepunye Pohamba speaking at the UN General Assembly's High Level meeting in New York on the Prevention and Control of NCDs called for acceleration actions to address the risk factors contributing to NCDs.

This call comes in response to an increasing trend of NCDs such as cancer, cardiovascular, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, largely brought on by poor lifestyles, such as unhealthy diets and physical inactivity. Evidence shows that tobacco use is increasing. The Namibia Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2000 shows tobacco use is most common in Hardap, Karas and Omaheke regions. Among those interviewed, 28.7% living in urban areas and 9.9% in rural areas, smoke cigarettes or pipes. There is also evidence of an increasing trend in overweight and obesity. According to the 2006/07 NDHS, among women aged 15-49 years that gave birth in the previous five years, 28% were overweight or obese with a Body Mass Index (BMI) index of >25. The obese proportion with a BMI index of >30 was 12.0%. Obesity is linked to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In Namibia, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases ranks among the top 10 diseases and among the top 15 in-patient causes of death. Another issue is that of alcohol abuse which is associated with a variety of problems, such as the risk of HIV infection.

Through the commemoration of Healthy Lifestyles Day, Namibia aims to raise awareness on how to prevent NCDs. This includes knowledge on nutrition, physical exercise, stress management and ensuring regular health check-ups. By knowing your health status, we are empowered to take action to improve and prevent NCDs. Companies are also encouraged to host Healthy Lifestyles Days as part of their wellness programmes. Suggested activities include: talks on HIV/AIDS, nutrition, provision of testing for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, BMI, to determine the risk of heart disease. By participating, companies can benefits from increased productivity, improved employee morale and ultimately secure it overall sustainability.

The MoHSS with support from WHO is towards taking proactive steps to address the rising toll of NCDs, through:

Passing the Tobacco Products Control Act in 2010 to address issues related to reduction of demand for and supply of tobacco products and protection from exposure to tobacco smoke.
Drafting the National Health Promotion Policy which outlines ways for reducing NCDs risk factors while improving health services to address the situation.
Implementing the Health-Promoting Schools Initiative (HPSI) to enhance the emotional, social, physical and moral wellbeing of school children and wider community through health and physical education programs focusing on: HIV/AIDS, nutrition, hygiene, environmental health as well as psychological and counseling support.
Healthy Lifestyles Day was first launched by the Chairperson of the SADC Ministers of Health, Honourable Mopipi Mukulumanya, of South Africa in February 2010. The decision to commemorate Africa Healthy Lifestyle Day was adopted by the African Union Executive Council in July 2008. It was then adopted by the SADC Ministers of Health as SADC Healthy Lifestyle Day. This day is aligned to WHO’s Strategy for the Prevention and Control of NCDs.  Namibia followed as a member state launched Healthy Lifestyle day on 17 November 2010 and commemorated it on 25 February 2011 in Windhoek.

For more details, contact:

MoHSS: Senior Health Programme Administrator, NCDs: Charlotte Buys - email - cbuys [at] mhss.gov.natarget="_blank" , Ph +264 61 203 2796/ 

+264 81 4050 676

WHO: Communications & Advocacy Officer: Michelle Thulkanam – email - thulkanamm [at] na.afro.who.int , Ph- +264-61-255-191/+264-81-423-0556