Lifestyle diseases account for about 46% of Botswana deaths

Dikoloti emphasised the urgency of the situation. "Recent studies estimate that NCDs account for about 46% of all deaths in our country.

"This is a sobering reality that underscores the urgent need for action," he stated. He revealed that heart diseases, cancers, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and mental illnesses are amongst the most prevalent NCDs affecting the population. Dikoloti pointed out that the premature deaths caused by NCDs not only deprive families of breadwinners, but also lead to the loss of the country’s most productive and skilled workforce. He highlighted the epidemiological transition in Botswana due to urbanisation and the adoption of Western lifestyles, resulting in a rise in modifiable NCD risk factors.