Embu: The County Government of Embu has announced plans to roll out grassroots health and nutrition education to combat the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
According to Kenya News Agency, this initiative follows concerns by health experts that NCDs, mainly diabetes and hypertension, were on the rise after a series of medical camps conducted by the Department of Health across the county over the last month. Health Promotion Officer Pauline Nginyo stated that the medical camps have highlighted a looming public health crisis that necessitates immediate action.
Speaking at Kiritiri Level Four Hospital during a one-day medical camp, Nginyo emphasized the importance of a healthy lifestyle and diet in preventing and managing NCDs. She pointed out that physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle are significant risk factors contributing to diseases responsible for over 70 percent of deaths worldwide, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Additionally, she noted that poor dietary habits have contributed to the development of NCDs through nutritional imbalances, leading to organ damage.
The county aims to reverse this trend by initiating community outreach programs to provide preventative services, including lifestyle and diet education, directly to residents. Nginyo expressed confidence that these messages, if effectively communicated, will provide high-impact preventative care. The initiative plans to leverage public health teams, particularly Community Health Promoters (CHPs), due to their close proximity to residents and cultural trust.
Furthermore, the program will incorporate nutritionists to train residents on dietary behavior change and enhance the skills of CHPs to ensure accurate delivery of information. Dr. Kelvin Njeru, Medical Superintendent at Kiritiri Level Four Hospital, reported approximately 3,000 patients in their NCD clinic, underscoring the increasing prevalence of these conditions in Mbeere South Constituency. He urged residents to undergo regular screening, emphasizing that early diagnosis is crucial for successful treatment and management, halting disease progression.
