Combating NCDs in Namibia

Namibia’s Minister of Health and Social Services Kalumbi Shangula called for a need to ramp up interventions and strategies aimed at combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country.

He has highlighted the promotion of physical activity and adopting a healthy diet, specifically targeting the reduction of salt, sugar, and trans-fat intake to address obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Minister Shangula says Namibia has implemented dedicated programs that focus on NCDs, mental health, disability prevention, and rehabilitation, as well as food safety.

According to statistics from Namibia’s Health Ministry, over half of deaths in Namibia are due to NCDs, with the most common being cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, cancers, and chronic obstructive airway diseases.