HIVOS Southern Africa has commended government’s efforts in promoting good health through healthy diets and exercise, to help reduce the number of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country.

Hivos Southern Africa Regional Advocacy Manager, Sustainable Foods, William Chilufya, in an interview yesterday applauded government for establishing a social determinants department under the Ministry of Health to promote good health.

“We note Government’s efforts in trying to bring to the attention of the public the importance of dieting and exercising, and we will ensure that we give them the necessary support,” Chilufya said.

Chilufya said Hivos Zambia is hosting a series of Sustainable Diets for All (SD4ALL) meeting this month as a way of promoting healthy living. The meeting has brought together 60 participants from different parts of the world.

“A lot of us in Zambia are gaining more weight and this is drawing us closer to NCDs that are on the increase, this situation is not something that this country cannot handle,” he said.

Chilufya said Government should work hard to ensure crop diversification in the country is seriously implemented to enable people have a variety to eat.

“If we focus on producing a lot of maize we will be giving ourselves less option for different foods that would be good for us as a country,” he said.