Breaking the Chains of Noncommunicable Diseases in Malawi
Breaking the chains of Noncommunicable Diseases
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are conditions that include cancers, diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders. NCDs result in long term health complications and often create a need for long-term treatment and care. Noncommunicable diseases are a growing threat to our health, accounting for many deaths over the world.
In our community, many individuals and families are affected by these debilitating conditions, struggling to access quality care and support. This is what spurred our Healthcare program to start operating NCD clinics, in a quest to provide comprehensive services and improve the lives of those affected.
Noncommunicable Diseases in Rural Malawi
According to a report by the World Health Organization, NCDs contribute to 74% of all deaths globally, and of these deaths, 77% are in low- and middle-income countries. Poverty is linked to NCD occurrences in low and middle-income countries. Vulnerable and socially disadvantaged people get sicker and die sooner than people of higher social positions, because they are at greater risk of being exposed to harmful products, unhealthy dietary practices and lifestyles, and limited access to health services.
In most cases, NCDs leave the already struggling rural households more in debt as NCD treatment costs tend to be lengthy and very expensive.
Julita's Story
For 54-year-old Julita Kwamdela, her journey began in 2017 when she was diagnosed with diabetes, a wake-up call that came after ignoring nagging symptoms she had initially dismissed as insignificant, never imagining they would change her life forever.
“It began with signs such as frequent trips to the bathroom and unrelenting fatigue. But I brushed it off, not thinking much of it until my sister’s persistence encouraged me to seek medical attention. That is when the hospital visit led to a life-changing diagnosis: Diabetes,” narrates Julita.
Julita recalls how her life was turned upside down by a diabetes diagnosis, forcing her to navigate a new reality of constant financial stress. She had to scramble to find funds for transportation to a distant government hospital or settle for costly private clinic visits, a burden that weighed heavily on her already overwhelmed life.
“There were times when I was forced to skip medication, stuck at home due to lack of funds for transportation or hospital bills. However, the arrival of the NCD clinic at Orant’s clinic in Kasese has been a game-changer for my health. Now, I no longer worry about unaffordable treatment costs, thanks to the clinic’s free services,” says Julita.
The Orant Mudzi Gala supports our Noncommunicable Disease Clinics
Join us in unlocking a world where NCDs no longer hold people back. Your support will:
- Expand our noncommunicable disease clinic services, helping us reach out to more patients
- Help in early diagnosis of noncommunicable diseases
- Help provide comprehensive treatment to patients
- Empower communities
The 2024 Orant Mudzi Gala will raise funds for Orant’s noncommunicable disease clinic, focusing on providing care to those living in rural Malawi who live with chronic and debilitating diseases. To purchase your ticket to the Gala, or if you are interested in sponsoring an event that truly saves lives, visit the Mudzi Gala page here.
Read a few of our other blogs on this topic to learn more:
The Challenge of Noncommunicable Diseases in Rural Malawi
Non-Communicable Diseases in Rural Malawi: The Importance of Mobile Medicine
