While the government has invested a lot in human resource development, experts say that reluctance by Rwandans to adopt healthy lifestyles such as doing sports and proper diet habits is exposing them to the risk of suffering non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

According to the World Health Organisation, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, are of long duration and generally slow progression.

The four main types of non-communicable diseases are cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.

The UN body reports that NCDs kill 38 million people each year, with three-quarters of these — 28 million — occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

A Steps survey conducted in Rwanda in 2012/13 revealed that the prevalence of main risk factors was generally high in the country. Specifically, the report found harmful use of alcohol consumption (heavy episodic drinking) at 23.5 per cent while 41.3 per cent were currently drinking.

In addition, tobacco use was estimated at 12.9 per cent, while in unhealthy diet, only 0.3 per cent had fruit consumption per day, 0.9 per cent eat vegetables while 99.1 per cent had less than five servings of fruits and/or vegetables. About 21.4 per cent were engaged in low level of activity.

These statistics show a worrisome trend for they also mean that NCDs need to be an issue that the whole of the health system needs to pay attention to.

Indeed, too many people risk dying too young from NCDs and unless something is done about it, the picture is only going to get worse.

But the Ministry of Health cannot tackle NCDs on its own; all government ministries need to work together to reduce the exposure to the major risk factors for NCDs: tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.

There are a number of low-cost measures that governments can implement immediately to reduce levels of tobacco use.

These include reducing affordability of tobacco products by increasing tobacco excise tax, strict enforcement of the law to ensure smoke-free environments in all indoor workplaces, public places and public transport.

There is also a need to step up public campaigns and warn people of the dangers of tobacco and tobacco smoke through effective health warnings and mass media initiatives.

Allowing populations to reach the highest attainable standards of health and productivity requires giving high priority to the prevention and control of NCDs. Increasing awareness, boosting advocacy, promoting modifiable risk factors, and implementing cost effective integrated health systems are priority interventions in the fight against NCDs.