Wellness programmes that save lives

07 Aug, 2022 - 00:08 0 Views
Wellness programmes that save lives

The Sunday Mail

Society Reporter

ZIMBABWE, like many other developing countries, faces a battle against lifestyle diseases which result in over 50 percent of annual global mortality.

Several people have over the years succumbed to ailments that include heart disease, diabetes, stroke, hypertension and asthma among others.

Accordingly, two siblings, Victoria and Danayi Nyabadza, have initiated wellness programmes to raise awareness around the silent killer conditions.

People who do not exercise, do not eat well and those who use drugs or smoke are at high risk of lifestyle diseases.

The modifiable risk factors result in four conditions: cardiovascular conditions, pulmonary or lung conditions, cancers and diabetes.

The coronary heart disease is the second leading cause of death in Zimbabwe. Stroke and diabetes are in the top 10 while hypertension is in the top 20.

Doctors recommend that an active lifestyle is a panacea and solves several health problems, — obesity and mental health issues included.

Nyabadza siblings said they started offering free health sessions under Thrift fit to help build lifestyle diseases free generations.

Thrift fit is a new health solutions enterprise which promotes the right of individuals to health living as part of a drive towards universal health coverage.

“Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities. Adults who sit less and do any amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity gain some health benefits,” said one of the Nyabadza siblings.

“Thrift fit hosts free Zumba classes and other related group exercise events for Harare urbanites together with affordable gym wear and exercise clothing for all age groups.”

They have since hosted a group of over 200 people of different age groups and races.

The group(s) participated at a Zumba event hosted at Vanilla Moon last Saturday and this was the third time hosting such programmes.

To pursue their dream, the Nyabadza siblings have entered into partnerships with corporates from the health sector among them Ultra-Med Health Care and MedOrange Pharmacies.

“This event, Thrift fit Zumba session, is very key. Events of this nature need to regularly take place across the country because by keeping your body fit and weight down, you also get to keep diseases like hypertension at bay. Obesity can also be tackled by developing healthy eating habits,” said Dr Sydney Mukonoweshuro, chief executive officer of Ultra-Med.

He added that there is need for a refocus of the health care system from a curative to a preventive one Ultra-Med offered free BP checks at one of the wellness programmes.

“A number of people who were checked at the Thrift Fit event did not know that they were hypertensive,” said Dr Mukonoweshuro.

MedOrange chief executive officer Diana Hore said lifestyle diseases are resulting in people putting on weight and eating a lot of modified foods.

MedOrange offered counselling services and body mass index (BMI), weight, heart, muscle and water content tests.

“These non-communicable diseases are silently taking their toll on people. So we are trying to increase awareness on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“People need to exercise and maintain a healthy diet. Prevention is better than cure, so you would rather keep a healthy lifestyle so that you do not develop those diseases.

“It is cheaper to prevent than to cure,” said Ms Hore.

Faith Ngwazi, who has attended most of the wellness events, said the programmes have helped “get her groove back” after years of a non-active life.

“These events are fun and you do not feel like you are doing work outs. These events are also good for networking,” she said.

The two siblings, Victoria and Danayi, started the Thrift fit movement through selling affordable exercise wear in their garage about two years ago.

With the growing interest in healthy living in Harare, the ladies have since expanded their venture through introducing the free Thrift fit Zumba session.

But this has also led to the expansion of their gym wear and exercise clothing business.

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