HARARE City Council (HCC) has joined the Global Partnership for Healthy Cities initiated by the Bloomberg Philanthropies to enable them reduce the spread of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the city.
Bloomberg Philanthropies recently granted US$100 000 to HCC so that it carries a survey on NCDs.
In a statement issued Monday by Harare Mayor Herbert Gomba, HCC said since it was a member of the global family, it would ensure that important strides to build healthier and safer environments for residents were taken, an outcome that would only grow with enhanced global networking.
“As part of 70 global cities that are participating in this programme, we will receive technical assistance from the World Health Organisation, including non-profit vital strategies to implement their chosen interventions to reduce NCDs or injuries.
“We are now part of the global family of cities committed to saving lives by preventing NCDs, which include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, respiratory diseases and injuries caused by road traffic vaccidents,” he said.
Gomba also said HCC had become part of those organisations geared to improve public health and help contain the scourge of NCDs and would, therefore, conduct a survey about how many Harare residents were dying due to NCDs.
Harare municipality said data available to it indicated that NCDs were responsible for about 67% of deaths in low and middle-income countries, and accounted for trillions in economic losses, while only receiving 2% of health assistance.
Healthy cities partnership is a global network of cities, each committed to achieving one of 14 health interventions proven to save lives.
Some of the 14 health interventions include supply of medicines, treatment and implementation of preventive measures.