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By: MUBITA KATETE
GOVERNMENT is greatly concerned about the rise in non-communicable diseases recorded in the country over the past three years, says Health Minister Dr Alex Katakwe.
Speaking when he officially launched the 2026 Zambia STEPS Survey, Dr. Katakwe said common non-communicable diseases include diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions.
“We are deeply concerned about the steady increase in non-communicable diseases across the country over the past three years,” he said.
He explained that hypertension, cancer, asthma, diabetes and road traffic accidents are among the top five non-communicable conditions reported in the Ministry of Health information system over the past three years.
Dr. Katakwe said stroke, heart disease, and diabetes remain the leading causes of death in the country.
He said this was why the STEPS Survey had been launched, to generate high-quality data that would help better understand and address non-communicable diseases in the country
“The STEPS Survey will provide us with reliable data to better understand these diseases and guide our response,” Dr Katakwe said
The findings from the survey will strengthen prevention strategies, improve early detection, and guide policy decisions aimed at reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases.
Dr. Katakwe added that the data will also support targeted health interventions and awareness campaigns at community level.
Meanwhile, World Health Organisation Zambia Representative Dr. Clement Lasubi said the survey comes at a critical time when non-communicable diseases are increasingly affecting younger people.
“This survey comes at a critical time as we are seeing more young people affected by non-communicable diseases,” Dr. Lasubi said.
He stressed that the country needs an integrated health system capable of addressing both communicable and non-communicable diseases, adding that quality data collected through the survey will be key in shaping future health interventions.
