Every year, Uganda joins the rest of the World on 29th September to commemorate World Heart Day and to raise awareness about heart disease. In this time of COVID-19, cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients are at an increased risk of developing severe forms of COVID-19 disease.

COVID-19 has also shone a spotlight on the importance of looking after each other and making better choices at every level, from individuals, families and communities, to whole populations and governments. In line with this year’s theme “Use Heart, to Beat CVD” we call upon the entire public to make better choices by eating well and limiting alcohol use, saying no to tobacco, getting plenty of exercise and abiding by the government’s standard operating procedures (S.O.Ps) on COVID-19. This is because, in such unprecedented times, we don’t know what course the pandemic will take in the future but we do know that taking care of our hearts is now more important than ever.

This year on World Heart Day, we want you to listen to your heart, attend your regular checkups and ensure to call the emergency services if you need to. This will enable you to get professional medical care.

Remember that cardiovascular disease which includes heart disease and stroke is responsible for 17.3 million premature deaths and this is expected to rise by 2030, to 23 million deaths. Currently in Uganda, every 1 in 4 adults have high blood pressure. Unfortunately 80% of them are unaware of the disease.

It should be noted that World Heart Day is a World Heart Federation initiative, celebrated annually with a crucial role to play in improving the world’s heart health, reducing the global economic burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and achieving the UN target of 1/3 reduction in non-communicable-disease-related (NCD) premature mortality by 2030.

The Ministry of Health (Government of Uganda) working closely with the Uganda Heart Institute in partnership with Prudential Uganda and other Stakeholders are driving this cause of a healthy heart through the role of Policy guidance which entails promotion of healthy living, prevention of Non Communicable Disease (NCDs) especially cardiovascular disease, early diagnosis and interventions and definitive treatment and rehabilitation.

This year’s celebrations are largely through a series of virtual media campaigns that have been and are still running all through this heart month across our local TVs, radio, print and social media platforms, educating the public on behavioral heart healthy lifestyle changes. We therefore urge everyone to listen in on these heart education episodes so as to make better health choices and reduce the risk of heart disease.

We wish you all good health!