AICC managing director, Elishilia Kaaya

In a campaign to against diabetes and non-communicable diseases, the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) is allocating one day every year to conduct a free diabetes screening to residents of Arusha and neighbouring regions.

“The idea is meant to give opportunity to residents in the regions being able to diagnose the disease in its early stages...” AICC managing director, Elishilia Kaaya announced.

Speaking over the weekend during a free diabetes screening camp, organized by the center in collaboration with Tanzania Diabetes Association (TDA) he asserted AICC’s commitment to making sure that funds are allocated for the activity every year as part of the center’s efforts to scale-down the magnitude of the disease in the country.

“We have seen this camp as an important aspect in ensuring that people get access to diabetes and its related diseases. So, we’ll hold this event every year for the benefit of all Tanzanians,” he promised. The call is timely been that the rate of prevalence of the disease has doubled in the last ten years.

Arusha Regional Commissioner, Magesa Mulongo, commended the center for coming up with the initiative noting the susceptibility of urban areas to rural ones.

The rate of prevalence of the ailment has shot to more than 6 per cent on adult population living in towns.

The all day camp included free education on self-management of diabetes, free blood glucose test, eye check-up, and other services and spearheaded by AICC specialists and other doctors in attendance of the African Diabetes Congress (ADC), a comprehensive multidisciplinary forum with a of leaders in diabetes and other Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).