Non communicable diseases (NCD) are second leading cause of deaths in the country and Kenyans have been challenged to adopt lifestyles that will not expose them to the same.
A meeting that brought together health specialists from Siaya to discuss the effects of non-communicable diseases in the county heard that 50 percent of the in patients in public health facilities in the county were as a result of the NCDs.
According to the coordinator of the NCDs in Siaya, Peter Omoth, the diseases cumulatively account for 39 percent of the deaths in Siaya, a figure that is expected to rise to 47 percent should quick interventions not be put in place.
“We want to do a lot of advocacy and create awareness that our people should do a lot of exercises to reduce life style diseases” said Omoth.
He said that the county government of Siaya has partnered with Non Communicable Diseases Alliance of Kenya through Moyo Afya project to establish early detection of NCDs in five health facilities in the county.
He said that through the project, Sifuyo, Simenya, Malanga, Ong’ielo and Gobei health centres have been equipped with Electro cardio gram machines to enable them detect cardio vascular diseases early and refer the patients for further management.
A consultant physician at the Siaya county referral hospital, Dr. James Wagude called for a review of the drug supply policy that restricts supply of drugs for management of hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol to county and sub county referral hospitals alone.
Dr. Wagude said that with statistics showing that NCDs were the second leading cause of death in the country and the burden being so high in the community, the drugs must be taken to the smaller health facilities to enable those diagnosed there start treatment in good time.
“When we talk about essential drugs list, hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol drugs are essential nowadays. We have to give these drugs to the smaller facilities” said the medic.
He lamented that those diagnosed with the diseases were currently forced to spend more money travelling to the sub county and county referral hospitals, with many opting not to due to the costs involved.
Siaya county executive committee member for health, Dr. Martin K’onyango challenged the medical personnel to engage the community on the best ways to tackle the increase rate of non-communicable diseases.
Dr. K’onyango further called on Kenyans to enroll with the National Health Insurance Fund, (NHIF) to cushion themselves against high cost of bills should sickness knock on their doors.
“Cases where people seek for waiver because of inability to clear hospital bills are very high” said the county minister for health.
Dr. Konyango assured the medics that Siaya county government will strive to address issues that have been identified as a stumbling block to the provision of quality health care to the citizens.
NCDs include diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, sickle cell disease, mental health, asthma.
By Philip Onyango
