The County government of Bomet through the Department of Health Services has embarked on the process of creating awareness, diagnosing, and management of diabetes.
In a press statement to media houses, Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok asked residents to go for free diabetes screening under the theme ‘Know Your Risk’ that is aimed at urging residents to take responsibility.
Barchok further ordered health officers from health facilities in the county to facilitate the needed medical care and nutritional advice to help residents fight the scourge.
“With the theme of knowing your risk and knowing your response, we encourage everyone to go for free diabetes screening in any of our health facilities so that they get the necessary medical assistance from our expertise if they turn out to be diabetic,” read parts of the Governor’s statement.
The County has established a full-time diabetic clinic in Longisa County Referral and Ndanai Hospitals where diabetic patients are being managed.
According to the County boss, the County has put into place measures for the proper management of drugs, and the expansion of Ndanai Hospital in line with dealing with the disease.
“In a bid to expand Ndanai Hospital, we will fast track the procurement process of the much-needed drugs and ensure that the construction of new wards at the facility is accomplished within a short period, we intend to upgrade our health system to provide our residents with top-care health services,” said the Governor.
The County Government has also instructed Community Health Promoters(CHPs)to continue sensitizing residents and raise awareness of the danger posed by diabetes and other chronic diseases that endanger lives.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence rate of diabetes in Kenya is at 3 percent, and by 2025 the Country will be heading to a 4/5 percent rise.
Due to the unawareness among Kenyans about two-thirds of diabetic patients are undiagnosed posing a big health risk across the Country.
Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, and lower limb amputation.
A healthy diet, physical activity, and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
By Lamech Willy.A
