Addressing Liberia’s Next Health Epidemic: Tackling…

The article discusses the rising epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Liberia, which are primarily caused by lifestyle factors. The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of a coordinated national approach to address this growing health crisis. Many Liberians, including healthcare professionals, are unaware of how diet impacts disease risk, leading to a lack of preventative measures. Access to healthy foods and comprehensive health education are crucial for improving overall health outcomes.

In Liberia, the World Health Organization identifies non-communicable diseases (NCDs)—such as heart disease, diabetes, mental health disorders, and cancers—as the nation’s next health crisis. The country faces alarming rates of NCDs, largely driven by lifestyle choices, with experts emphasizing the necessity of a nationally coordinated approach for effective prevention. Currently, many individuals are unaware of how their diet and lifestyle contribute to these diseases, leading to significant health challenges.

Kulah Quaqua, a nurse and mother, experienced firsthand the adverse effects of NCDs. Despite being in the healthcare field, she lacked knowledge about how her eating habits could lead to her type 2 diabetes diagnosis—a growing concern among Liberians. NCDs are often rooted in lifestyle factors including poor diet, inactivity, and stress, rather than being infectious diseases like Ebola or COVID-19. This alarming trend has prompted calls for increased health education and better accessibility to healthy foods.

According to Dr. Clement Peter, the outgoing WHO Country Representative, almost all cases of NCDs can be prevented with lifestyle changes. A significant hurdle remains, however: many Liberians lack access to information about their diseases. Poor dietary options and high living costs make it difficult for many families, including Kulah’s, to maintain a healthy lifestyle, ultimately jeopardizing their health and that of future generations.

The systemic issues faced by the Liberian healthcare system include inadequate diagnostics and referral systems. Kulah struggled to find effective treatment for her diabetes and was eventually forced to seek medical care abroad. In Rwanda, she learned that her dietary choices had a profound impact on managing her condition. However, after returning to Liberia, she encountered obstacles in accessing healthy foods, highlighting the need for improvements in the local food system.

Agro Tech’s Jonathan Stewart emphasized the necessity of developing agricultural infrastructure to support better food production. He indicated that the government needs to invest in roads and storage facilities to ease the access to fresh produce. Dr. Peter advocates for a coordinated government strategy to tackle NCDs, including educational campaigns and food regulations to reduce unhealthy consumption choices.

Despite access to medication, individuals like William Pewu—who has diabetes and hypertension—face ongoing health challenges due to the cost of management supplies and lifestyle restrictions. The government is beginning to address these issues, with the Ministry of Health establishing an NCD policy in 2017. As the crisis escalates, integrating NCD awareness into healthcare practices remains crucial for improving health outcomes for all Libyans.

Currently, facilities like the diabetes clinic in Montserrado County are experiencing increased patient numbers, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic support and educational outreach to reduce the impact of diabetes and other NCDs across Liberia. Overall, while NCDs pose severe health risks, they are preventable through informed lifestyle changes, improved access to healthy foods, and a unified effort from the government and healthcare sectors.

Liberia faces a growing epidemic of non-communicable diseases, primarily attributable to lifestyle factors. The World Health Organization underscores the urgency for a coordinated national approach that includes improving health education and access to healthy food. Experiences from individuals like Kulah Quaqua highlight the significant barriers to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, illustrating the complex interplay between health, food systems, and socio-economic constraints. Continued focus on these issues is critical for preventing NCDs and safeguarding public health in Liberia.

Original Source: frontpageafricaonline.com