Obesity remains one of the most misunderstood health conditions. [Courtesy]
For many people, weight is something they think about only when clothes become tighter or a doctor advises them to exercise more. But health specialists say excess weight can trigger a chain of medical problems that extend far beyond appearance, affecting everything from blood sugar and blood pressure to kidney function and blood circulation.
That growing concern was among the key issues discussed during specialist clinics held on June 17 and 18, 2026, at The Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam, where patients sought medical advice for conditions linked to obesity, diabetes, vascular disease and kidney complications.
Doctors at the clinic say they are increasingly seeing patients whose weight has become intertwined with a wider set of health challenges. Some struggle with diabetes that is difficult to control, while others suffer from sleep disorders, persistent acid reflux, joint pain, high blood pressure or reduced mobility. In severe cases, the complications extend to kidney disease and blood vessel disorders that can significantly affect quality of life.
Among the specialists attending the clinic was Dr Syed Tanseer, a bariatric, laparoscopic and general surgeon whose work focuses on helping patients manage severe obesity and obesity-related illnesses, often through minimally invasive surgical procedures.
