A Healthier Future For Patients With Chronic Illnesses
Ruth Hamza is a 58-year-old entrepreneur from Oldeani who has been living with epilepsy for 10 years. When asked about her experience at a regular check-up, Ruth was eager to explain that “the way you [Africanus John, TCF’s Clinical Officer] sat down with me to explain epilepsy and the medicine I need gives me hope. The first time I experienced epilepsy, I did not know what to do or how to manage it. Now, I am relieved and have hope that I can live with it.”
In Tanzania, chronic illness, such as epilepsy, hypertension, and diabetes, accounts for 31% of adult deaths. As part of TCF’s commitment to improving our community’s health and well-being, we have been working to expand knowledge surrounding chronic illnesses also known as noncommunicable diseases or NCDs.
Starting last Fall, our health team began informal trainings for community members, like Ruth, with chronic illnesses. During the trainings, Africanus John and Julieth Costa (Assistant Clinical Officer) explain different chronic illnesses, how they worked, the importance of regularly taking medication, and tips for patients to be able to better manage their illness on a daily basis.
“I now make sure that I am regularly taking my medications. Because of this, my memory has improved. I feel better about myself in general because I understand the illness and how to manage it” Ruth explained.
As patients with NCDs have learned to better manage their illnesses, we have seen weekly visitations to our Rural Community Health Clinic by these patients cut by over two-thirds. This grants our health team the critical capacity to see additional patients.
By expanding the community’s knowledge of NCDs, both economic and social burdens can be lessened. Understanding what medication to take and knowing how to manage the disease to prevent further complications, reduces any extra loss of income for the patient and their family. Additionally, stigma and misconceptions are reduced, lowering the risk of patients experiencing isolation and depression.
By empowering community members with the knowledge and resources they deserve to promote their well-being, we are able to create a brighter and healthier future for our community of 10,000.