This archive report was first published on 14 October 2019.
On October 14, 2019, the Ministry of Health launched the Africa Diabetes Pacesetters initiative, a national program aimed at improving diabetes care in Kenya.
Speaking at the launch, Zachary Muriuki, National Program Officer for the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of data collection in combating diabetes.
"The Ministry of Health is committed to having strategic Public-Private partnerships with relevant stakeholders in the health sector to implement programs and initiatives that improve quality and comprehensive diabetes care," Muriuki said.
According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), more than 15.9 million people in sub-Saharan Africa have diabetes, with the number set to increase by 162% by 2045 if left unaddressed.
Delayed diabetes diagnosis can lead to severe complications, including kidney damage, heart disease, blindness, and amputations, which are also costly to treat and can impact entire families and the economy.
Novo Nordisk Middle Africa's General Manager, Vinay Ransiwal, highlighted the risks associated with delayed diagnosis, stating that "one of the key issues with delayed diabetes diagnosis is the increased risk of complications such as kidney damage, heart disease, blindness, neural damage leading to amputations and an overall reduced life expectancy."
