By Norbert Mao
About 70 percent of diseases affecting people globally can be prevented, a health expert has revealed, urging communities in Acholi Sub-region to prioritize prevention at household level.
Speaking during the official launch of the Acholi Women in Health Foundation (AWIHF) at the Gulu University Main Library, guest speaker Dr. Charles Oyoo Akiya, the Commissioner of Health Services for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Prevention and Control at the Uganda Ministry of Health, said many health challenges can be avoided through simple lifestyle changes and responsible choices.
Dr. Oyoo said families have a major role to play in preventing diseases by adopting healthy practices, including proper nutrition, avoiding foods with excessive sugar and salt, reducing consumption of fatty foods, and staying away from alcohol, drugs and substance abuse.
He also identified risky sexual behaviours, malaria and accidents as some of the preventable health challenges that communities should address through awareness and personal responsibility.
Dr. Oyoo said strengthening disease prevention at household level will reduce pressure on health facilities and improve the overall health of communities in the Acholi Sub-region.
He made the remarks under the theme, “Rooted in Community, Rising in Health,” during the maiden launch of the Acholi Women in Health Foundation.
