Vihiga: Hypertension has been identified as the most common health condition among patients seeking care for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Vihiga County. Speaking ahead of the Devolution Conference that will start on August 12th, Nambasa Philemon, an integrated NCD Clinician at the PEN-plus NCD clinic at Hamisi Sub-County Hospital, stated that out of 700 clients received so far, hypertension ranked highest. He encouraged people to come for screening since some patients do not show symptoms and mentioned that community health providers are conducting home visits to offer screening and refer patients to the clinic.
According to Kenya News Agency, the country is experiencing an epidemiological transition in its disease burden from predominantly communicable diseases to a rapidly rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries, resulting in a ‘triple burden of disease’ which is increasingly straining the health system. Approximately 54 percent of deaths are due to communicable, maternal, and neonatal causes, while injuries account for 7 percent of deaths. Approximately 39 percent of deaths in the country are as a result of NCDs, up from 27 percent in 2014. It is projected that deaths from NCDs will increase by 55 percent, while those from injuries will increase by 25 percent by 2030.
Nambasa noted that during the devolution conference scheduled to start on August 12, the clinic will showcase and educate the public on the shift in disease trends from infectious diseases such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, to NCDs like hypertension, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, asthma, and sickle cell anemia, which is more prevalent in Vihiga and Nyanza counties. ‘Teenagers will learn that sickle cell anemia is preventable if carriers avoid intermarriage,’ he said.
The clinic, which primarily focuses on NCDs, will also display patient education materials and equipment, including lung function test machines, cardiac ultrasound, and electrocardiogram (ECG) devices, during the conference. On cervical cancer screening, Nambasa explained that clients can collect their own samples and bring them to the clinic, where results are provided within 14 days. ‘We want people to know how to access these kits and the treatment services available,’ he added.
