The National Integrated Campaign for Non-communicable Diseases and the commemoration of Oral Health Week were launched in Keetmanshoop today.

The event aims to promote disease prevention and highlight the link between oral and overall health.

The National Chief Dentist in the Ministry of Health and Social Services said what the body consumes can either promote health or increase the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases and cancer.

Dr Nguundja Uamburu said these diseases share common risk factors, making prevention important in reducing the risk of several diseases at once.    

"What we eat or drink, the amount of sugar we consume, our level of physical activity, and later lifestyle choices such as alcohol and tobacco use all influence our risk of developing several diseases. Therefore, by preventing these risk factors, we may actually be preventing multiple diseases at once; this is what we refer to as the common risk factor approach."

The Deputy Minister of Health and Social Service Suzan Ndjaleka urged the public to undergo regular health screenings.

"Know your health, understand your risk, and get screened. Take action early; together, we can prevent diseases, detect them earlier, and build a Namibia where our people—our loved ones, our girls, our boys, our fathers, our cousins, our uncles, and our aunties—do not simply live longer but live healthier and more productive lives."

Community members will have access to blood pressure and blood glucose checks, oral health screenings and health promotion services.