Access Bank Rwanda fights obesity through 90-day weight loss challenge

As the world celebrated the global week for action against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that takes place from the 2^nd to the 8^th September, under the campaign banner ‘ENOUGH’, Access Bank Rwanda partnered with ‘Slim ‘n Fit’, a weight loss and wellness center for women and the RNCDA (Rwanda Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance) to help fight and prevent NCDs.

Non-communicable diseases are ailments that are not transmissible from person to person. They include; cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic lung diseases, disabilities, mental and neurological conditions. A large proportion of NCDs are preventable with major modification of risk factors such as; tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and air pollution. During the NCDs prevention week, activists and health advocates around the world get together and mobilize their communities to fight against NCDs through activities that include; walks, sports, meetings and press conferences.

As a leader of initiatives directed towards enhancing women welfare, Access Bank Rwanda offered Rwf 100,000 to the biggest weight loser during the ‘Slim ‘n Fit’ ninet-day weight loss challenge. In addition, Access Bank partners with gym facilities such as Cali Fitness in Nyarutarama to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Rutabairu Nadine, Head Women Banking at Access Bank Rwanda says the Bank is committed to being the leader of initiatives directed towards women

Rutabairu Nadine, Head Women Banking at Access Bank Rwanda says the Bank’s initiative to support the ninety-day challenge aligns with African governments pledge to collaborate towards healthcare financing through greater domestic investments. “The ninety-day challenge is a unifying and rallying opportunity to celebrate where action has led to progress in improving health and saying ‘ENOUGH’ to the inaction on the world’s largest cause of death and disability,” she adds.

Eating food that is high in calories, salt, sugar and saturated fats can increase risks of obesity, atherosclerosis and coronary artery diseases. Through the Slim ‘n Fit program, participants are encouraged to start healthy diets and engage more frequently in physical activities. Twenty women attended the first season of the ninety-day challenge. Winners include; Kayiranga Alice, Uwizeye Marie Justine, Mbabazi Betty and Mutamba Dinah who lost up to eight kilograms and each won one hundred thousand Rwandan Francs under the auspices of Access Bank Rwanda.

“Non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems and cancer kill up to eight million people every year around the world. These diseases are a threat to development and account for the loss of USD 21.3 trillion dollars spent on prevention only in Third World countries. There is an urgent need for action through educative programs about the appropriate diet to partially address the challenge. The ninety-day weight loss challenge is an impressive step towards achieving an NCD-free country” says Prof. Mucumbitsi Joseph, cardiologist and president of Rwanda Heart Foundation.

Through the ninety-day weight loss challenge, Access Bank Rwanda focuses on ensuring that communities affected by non-communicable diseases are at the center of the health system response. This initiative is in line with Kigali City Council Car Free Day that was initiated to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent non communicable diseases. During this bi-monthly sport activity, free medical check-ups are offered to the public.