Nairobi: Two new medicines for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and obesity have been launched in Kenya, with health experts calling for greater emphasis on early diagnosis and preventive care as the burden of non-communicable diseases continues to rise.
According to Kenya News Agency, Ozempic, used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy, used in the management of obesity, were officially introduced into the Kenyan market today by Novo Nordisk, alongside training for healthcare professionals on their use and available patient support programmes.
Dr. Rosslyn Ngugi, an endocrinologist and President of the Kenya Diabetes Study Group, stated that Kenya’s diabetes burden could be significantly underestimated, with up to 60 percent of people living with diabetes believed to be undiagnosed. She noted that diabetes prevalence in Kenya was estimated at between 3.3 and 4.5 percent, while obesity affected up to 30 percent of the population. Ngugi emphasized that many patients only discover they have high blood sugar after developing other complications.
Ngugi highlighted that obesity is a major driver of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease, calling for a shift from reactive treatment to preventive healthcare. She explained that many patients with diabetes and hypertension eventually develop chronic kidney disease, placing a significant burden on the health system through management of complications that could potentially be prevented through early intervention.
The endocrinologist remarked that the introduction of the medicines presented an opportunity to improve the management of obesity and diabetes, while urging insurance companies, policymakers, and the government to consider wider access to treatment. Ngugi noted that Novo Nordisk has significantly reduced the price of the medicines, making affordability less of a barrier, although access and appropriate prescribing remain important considerations.
Denmark’s Ambassador to Kenya, Stephan Schonemann, mentioned that the launch demonstrated the potential of partnerships between governments, researchers, and the private sector to strengthen healthcare. He emphasized the importance of early diagnosis, effective patient follow-up, and evidence-based treatment, noting that stronger health systems could contribute to longer lives, as seen in Denmark’s life expectancy compared to Kenya’s.
Malika De Maillard, Head of the Africa Business Area at Novo Nordisk, shared that more than 58 million patients globally had been exposed to Ozempic or Wegovy, reflecting a major unmet medical need among people living with type 2 diabetes, overweight, and obesity. She assured that the medicines supplied to Kenya would meet the same quality standards applied to the company’s products elsewhere, emphasizing efficacy, quality, and safety.
De Maillard described obesity as a major contributor to more than 200 diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular and kidney diseases, and sleep apnea. She urged patients to view type 2 diabetes and obesity as chronic conditions requiring sustained management rather than short-term treatment, cautioning against relying on social media claims about the medicines.
ocrinologist Dr. Nicola Okech warned that excess weight is closely linked to poor blood sugar control and other metabolic conditions, calling for obesity to be treated as a chronic disease rather than simply advising patients to lose weight. She added that obesity causes chronic low-grade inflammation and is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular and liver diseases, among other serious conditions.Dr. Okech cited the national STEPS survey data, which indicated that about one-third of Kenya’s adult population is living with overweight or obesity, increasing the risk of conditions such as diabetes and hypertension and placing an additional burden on individuals, families, and the health system. The launch today comes as Kenya grapples with an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, with health experts calling for stronger prevention, early diagnosis, and access to appropriate treatment.
