Four per cent of Kenya’s population is living with diabetes, the Cabinet Secretary for Health Dr. Debra Barasa has said.
According to Dr. Barasa, of the population living with diabetes, 43% of them are undiagnosed, hence the need for Kenyans to regularly check their blood sugar levels.
In a speech read on her behalf by the head of non-communicable diseases division in the ministry of health, Dr. Gladwell Gathecha, during the commemoration of this year’s World Diabetes Day in Siaya, the cabinet secretary said that children, adolescents and the elderly living with the condition bear the brunt of the condition, hence the need to give more focus on the population.
She said the government was committed to ensuring that treatment of non-communicable diseases was accessible and affordable.
“The Ministry of Health in collaboration with County Governments and other stakeholders have made strides to improve access to diabetes screening, diagnosis and care,” she said, adding that the government has equipped the community health promoters with pressure machines and glucometers, which has enabled them to conduct diabetes screening at the community level and refer those with raised blood sugar levels to the health facilities for confirmatory tests and management.
Siaya governor, James Orengo, in a speech ready by County Secretary, Joseph Ogutu, said diabetes cases in the county has recorded a 55% rise in the past two years.
Orengo said that in 2021, the county recorded 6,784 diabetes cases which rose to 12,170 cases in 2023.
“This trend, which is above the national prevalence of 4% highlights an urgent need for stronger diabetes prevention, screening as well as care initiatives to address the on-going burden” said the governor.
The event, which was held at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) grounds in Siaya town was also addressed by Siaya County Commissioner, Norbert Komora and County Executive for Health Services Dr. Martin K’Onyango among others.
By Philip Onyango
