Respiratory disease in Zanzibar
We live in a time when many infectious diseases have known treatments, and as such, some public health units are starting to focus on non-communicable diseases (NCDs). One group of NCDs which are prevalent in developing nations are respiratory diseases. The CDC says that 11% of deaths in Tanzania are caused by lower respiratory infections and another 5% from cancer (which includes lung cancer). WHO also states that lower respiratory infections, lung cancer, COPD, and asthma are 4 are some of the leading burdens of disease on the nation. While in Zanzibar, our team got a chance to speak with Omar Mwalim, the NCD manager for the Ministry of Health in Zanzibar. He told us about NCDs which were problems on the island and some of the common causes of these diseases. Asthma is quite common in children and COPD is increasingly a problem. However, one of the most common pulmonary illnesses is lung cancer. Preliminary research shows that 9.5% of 15-18 year olds smoke cigarettes and 7.3% of the general population (25-64 years) smokes. This summer the government introduced new laws regulating cigarettes to help stop the rise of smoking. Some of these new laws included: banning the sale of single cigarettes and smoking in public places. Cigarette packages must now carry health warnings and a new advertising push to make the public aware of the danger of smoking is being introduced. The hope is that these laws, which were introduced in July, with help stop the rise of lung cancer.