Lifestyle diseases cause 39% of deaths in Tanzania, health chief says
Tanzania's Chief Medical Officer, Prof Bruno Sunguya, says non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure cause about 39% of all deaths. The government is urging people to get tested during a campaign running from November 9 to 14.
Non-communicable diseases cause about 39% of all deaths in Tanzania, said the country's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Bruno Sunguya. He spoke as the government holds its Non-Communicable Diseases Week, which runs from November 9 to 14, Mwananchi reported. The campaign aims to get people to protect themselves, check their health and seek early screening and treatment. The week's theme is "Know your numbers, take action, save lives." It builds on the Zijue Namba Zako (Know Your Numbers) campaign, which Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa launched in May 2026. That campaign urges people to track key health indicators before problems turn serious. Sunguya said lifestyle largely drives these diseases. He pointed to inactivity, poor diet, tobacco use and heavy drinking. The group includes diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, chronic lung disease and sickle cell disease. It also covers mental illness, drug addiction and some eye, mouth and dental conditions. Many can develop unnoticed, especially in people who skip check-ups because they feel well. He urged people to check their blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and body weight. A blood pressure reading above 140/90 mmHg needs medical review. So does blood sugar above 7 mmol/L after more…
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