Southern Province Permanent Secretary Dr. Namani Monze has revealed that hypertension and diabetes have become the leading causes of death in the province.
Dr. Monze said non-communicable diseases are now the biggest health challenge in Southern Province, with cases continuing to rise.
He noted that in Kazungula District alone, reported cases of diabetes and hypertension have increased significantly, from over 900 to more than 1,300.
Dr. Monze was speaking in Kazungula during the launch of the Vitality Village Foundation.
Meanwhile, Veronica Mukuni, wife of Chief Mukuni and Founder of the Vitality Foundation, said 30 community health volunteers have been trained to help combat non-communicable diseases in the chiefdom.
She expressed concern that conditions once associated with older people are now increasingly affecting young people.
