Kakamega county residents have been called upon to take frequent screening of non communicable diseases given that the rate of the diseases has tremendously gone up.
The call came from the county executive committee member in charge of health in the county government of Kakamega Mrs. Penina Mukabane.
Mukabane was speaking during a diabetic camp organized by the county government of Kakamega in collaboration with Kenya Defeat Diabetes and Novo Nordisk at Muliro Gardens.
The CEC called upon the residents to be careful and ensure that they take the right diet and exercise daily to avoid the many complications that come with such diseases.
She revealed that 4000 adults are currently registered for diabetic services at the Kakamega county general hospital besides 70 children.
Mukabane said that the county faces a shortage of resources to cater for the special cases and was thankful to partners like the Kenya defeat diabetes and Novo Nordisk for the support they offer to ensure that these diabetic services are available and affordable to all.
The two have so far trained 124 groups of people to offer medical checkups in diabetes and high blood pressure in Kakamega County.
She further called upon the residents to look into their lifestyle and consider frequent exercises to fight such diseases.
Mukabane added that as a ministry they are working on a policy that may in future force all the residents to keep fit and place their health first.
She cited stigma and discrimination especially among the young as reasons why many people fear getting tested or screened,
The health executive committee member called upon teachers to be mindful of pupils who are sick and allow them access medication when the time comes.
The Kakamega county deputy governor Prof. Philip Kutima who was the guest of honor revealed that his government has set aside Ksh. 1.5 millions to facilitate such meetings to ensure that most of the residents get to know their status.
He added that the county government has set up a modern Diabetic centre at the Kakamega general hospital to offer affordable services to the residents and are further planning to start a clinic at Butere level four hospital and Malava to cater for those who may not be able to access the general hospital.