HEALTH Minister, Ummy Mwalimu has urged Tanzanians to adopt a culture of regularly engaging in physical exercise to prevent Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Ummy made the call at the weekend in Dar es Salaam after a charity walk as part of the celebration of World Health Day, organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Tanzania.

“We’ve seen many patients with hypertension and diabetes, if we really want our health to be safe, everyone must start taking action, whoever wants to exercise with me, I am ready to join him/her," said Ummy.

She said that when the government continues to invest in health services in clinics, health centres, hospitals, it is everyone's responsibility to invest in exercising at least 30 minutes every day or five days a week.

"The government continues to invest in the access to health human resources at all levels from basic to specialist services and super specialists, to strengthen the availability of medicine as well as investing in health education for the public," said Ummy, adding: 

"Out of every 100 Tanzanians, only eight have health insurance, a situation that causes the burden of the fund. In order to achieve the goal of Health for all, the government ensures that we strengthen health insurance funds, including the NHIF fund as well as private insurance funds."

Dr. Sagoe-Moses, WHO Country Representative encouraged Tanzanians to invest in dealing with NCDs, stating that different exercises, especially walking, are among the easiest and help stimulate hormones that keep the body healthy and protect it against NCDs.

"What happened today is important and every step we take is good. World Health Day is an opportunity for the world to direct itself and put emphasis, public attention on health issues and develop the agenda of vaccination and Health for All.

"This year's message is: 'My Health, My Right', which is to ensure that everyone has that right, to get health care anywhere, education, information as well as safe and clean drinking water,” said Dr. Charles.

He said the right to reach the highest level of physical and mental health, has been established and recognized by several international legal instruments, including the International Economic, Social and Cultural Agreement.