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Mr Odinga 

Sedentary lifestyles and exposure to tobacco and pollution have been cited as some of the factors behind the rising cases of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cancer.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga said that the illnesses could be prevented through healthy eating habits and exercise.

“Many of Kenya’s poor are living a disease away from bankruptcy,” said Mr Odinga referring to the high cost of treatment and access to quality medical care required to manage the ailments.

Non-communicable diseases account for 50 per cent of admissions to public hospitals.

“Diabetes is a major problem in the country, affecting both children and adults,” said Medical Services minister Anyang’ Nyong’o during the launch of a pilot project on treatment of the disease at Kanyariri DCK dispensary in Kikuyu last week.

The project, supported by Novo Nordisk, a Danish manufacturer of insulin, aims to provide affordable treatment of diabetes among poor households.

“In this collaboration we will find ways to bring diabetes treatment and insulin to patients by leveraging on already existing supply chains, healthcare facilities, and the public sector,” said Novo Noradisk chief executive and president Lars Rebien.

Burden

The company has partnered with religious institutions in the two-year programme, which will initially be available in Nyeri and Dagorreti before it is rolled out to other areas.

The Ministry of Medical Services estimates that 1.2 million Kenyans live with diabetes and the number is likely to grow to three million by 2025 if preventive measures are not put in place.

The government is counting on public-private partnerships to address challenges in the delivery of healthcare services to the poor.

Prof Nyong’o said that the government would review national health policies and give the National Health Insurance Fund the mandate to offer universal healthcare to all Kenyans.

The Ministry of Medical Services has also proposed that a fund be set up to ease the out-of-pocket burden of treatment.

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