Over 400 Kajiado residents have been screened for Diabetes and High Blood Pressure at the Kajiado County Referral Hospital during the commemoration of World Diabetes Day.
Backson Likama, Kajiado County Coordinator for Non-communicable Diseases, said that everyone is at risk of getting diabetes, hence the need for everyone to get screened as the management of the disease is easier once detected early enough.
“Old and young people can get diabetes. It is therefore prudent for everyone to undergo screening. Once diagnosed with diabetes, it is not the end of life. One can still live their life fully when the disease is well managed,” said Likama.
Likama pointed out that untreated diabetes causes blindness, kidney failure, lower limb amputation, stroke, and heart attack.
He urged the community to make use of community health promoters, as they have been trained and equipped with glucometers and pressure machines; hence, they are able to screen for diabetes and advise one accordingly.
The coordinator encouraged all those diagnosed with the disease to visit Kajiado Referral Hospital for specialised care from nutritionists and specialists.
The coordinator noted that there is an increase in the number of people with diabetes in the county, especially in the densely populated towns of Kitengela and Ngong.
“In the year 2023, we had 11,050 cases of diabetes in the county. We have noted that the number keeps increasing each year, especially in the towns, though it is in the rural areas too, only that the residents there do not visit health centres for screening,” said Likama.
Apart from screening, the residents were also sensitised on preventive measures against diabetes.
“We are also encouraging everyone to take preventive measures such as taking a balanced diet and doing physical exercises,” said Likama.
Emily Mankura, the founder of Indigenous Children with Diabetes, remarked that many children are suffering from diabetes due to a lack of screening, especially in the remote parts of Kajiado.
She said that children with diabetes in the county face a lot of challenges, including failure to attend school and a lack of a balanced diet, as their parents cannot afford a balanced diet, medication, and school fees at the same time.
“There is a need for the county government to provide the needy diabetic children with a balanced diet, as some depend on shots of insulin every day for survival yet they do not take a balanced diet,” said Mankura.
By Diana Meneto
