Tanzanians urged to change their lifestyles to curb NCDs

Ubungo District Commissioner, Hashim Komba threw the challenge in Dar es Salaam recently at a special Fun Run organised by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) with an aim of stimulating healthy living, tree planting and environmental conservation as part of the commemoration of its 20th anniversary.

DC Komba said that it was high time for Tanzanians to wake up and change their lifestyles to conquer the NCDs which involve adopting healthy food, conducting regular exercises, refraining from excessive use of alcohol as well as smoking cigarettes.

“As the government is working hard to improve health care through construction of hospitals, dispensaries and health centres, people should then support this by protecting themselves from diseases that can be avoided, we need to invest in body exercises as well as eating balanced diets, reducing portions in our plates,” he said.

He commended TCAA marking its 20th anniversary counting a number of remarkable achievements in the aviation industry.

TCAA Director General, Hamza Johari hinted on the note that prioritizing body exercises as well as healthy eating was currently one of the priority initiatives which the nation was promoting in order to help curb the increasing NCD burden.

“We have organized this event to remind ourselves and the public of the importance of body exercises as well as a healthy lifestyle to protect ourselves from diseases, we are here also to promote tree planting in our areas in order to restore nature and conserve the environment,” he said.

Johari said that the authority has recorded a number of achievements in improving the aviation industry including making Tanzania airspace safer to attract various international airlines thus increasing revenues.

According to him, in the past 20 years, the sector has recorded a number of achievements contributed by robust efforts of the government and stakeholders in investing in the sector.

“Apart from providing efficient and timely air transport, the aviation industry has been a big catalyst in the development of various sectors including trade, agriculture, mining, health and tourism,” he added.

He noted that through governments’ efforts they have been able to increase aircrafts to 13 and improved airport standards in the country.