Health officials in Kamwenge District are reporting a steady rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with Rukunyu General Hospital recording a 13.66 per cent increase in cases over the past three years.
Hospital records show that the facility handled 3,259 NCD cases in 2023, 3,636 cases in 2024 and 3,704 cases in 2025. The trend has raised concern among health workers, who attribute the increase to unhealthy lifestyles, poor diets and rising stress levels among residents.
According to the hospital’s Records Officer, Caleb Mugarurirwe, hypertension, diabetes, depression, asthma and other mental health conditions account for the majority of NCD cases treated at the facility.
Mugarurirwe said the increase in recorded cases is partly due to improved screening and diagnosis efforts. However, he noted that incomplete patient records continue to hinder accurate monitoring of disease patterns and trends.
The Medical Superintendent, Dr. Ivan Mujuni, said the hospital has intensified community outreach programmes aimed at screening residents for hypertension, diabetes, asthma and mental health conditions.
He explained that individuals diagnosed during the outreach activities are enrolled into the hospital’s NCD clinic, where they receive treatment, counselling and follow-up care.
Dr. Mujuni warned that non-communicable diseases are increasingly affecting younger people, with a growing number of patients being diagnosed before the age of 65.
He attributed the rising burden to several risk factors, including unhealthy eating habits, physical inactivity, stress, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, environmental influences and delayed health-seeking behaviour.
According to Dr. Mujuni, many patients seek medical care only after developing serious complications, which makes treatment more difficult, more expensive and less effective.
He urged the public to adopt healthier lifestyles by eating balanced diets, engaging in regular physical exercise, managing stress, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and attending routine medical check-ups for early detection and treatment of NCDs.
Health workers say continued community sensitisation and improved record management will be crucial in addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in Kamwenge District.
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