REDUCE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION – CPCR 

By Arnel Chitundu

THE Centre for Primary Care Research (CPCR) has said deliberate action needs to be taken in order to reduce the rise in Non-Communicable Diseases (NDCs) in Zambia.

Speaking to The Scoop, CPCR Senior Researcher, Mr. Richard Zulu said it had to take people to invest in self-care by improving their nutrition to prevent NDCs and stop the alcohol abuse.

He cited among, harmful abuse of alcohol, as a risk factor for non-communicable diseases, which led to addiction and poor nutrition, as many alcohol abusers had little or no time to eat than taking alcohol.

He said careless living of one’s life, placed an alcohol abuser at risk of compromising their immunity.

And Mr Zulu further reiterated that poor nutrition was another major factor that contributed to NDCs like stroke, diabetes, heart attacks, cancer and needed to be watched.

He however urged the general public to engage in physical exercising by avoiding physical inactivity, as lack of exercise meant the body was not kept in good shape.

He said reducing NDCs among citizens meant the stop of tobacco use, especially among the young people and that reducing on alcohol intake was another factor that could help in the reduction or prevention of NDCs.

He stated the urgent need to increase physical activities by the country at large and said keeping fit was an important aspect in one’s life.

He explained that it was unfortunate that tobacco use and excess drinking among young people was on the rise, a situation that made them prone to various diseases.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Sylvia Masebo described as a time bomb the rise in cases of Non – Communicable Diseases, a situation she said required a robust and efficient health system. 

She said it was for this reason that the Government had continued to invest in modern health facilities and enhanced service delivery to ensure the country responded adequately to NDCs.