Lodwar – 29th August 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

The County Department of Health and Sanitation, Kenya Red Cross Society and USAID Imarisha Jamii convened to discuss strategies and frameworks to address the growing numbers of non-communicable disease (NCDs) patients in the county.

The NCDs are heart disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. The diseases are often linked to lifestyle, particularly the sedentary kind, and required life-long management once diagnosed.

“Our coordinated efforts will focus on eliminating cervical cancer, with a particular emphasis on the 90-60-90 targets for cervical cancer and clinical breast examinations,” said Samuel Lokemer, County Coordinator for NCDs.

Lokemer further stressed the importance of intensifying the HPV vaccination as it is a critical tool in the fight against cancer. “We must take deliberate steps to ensure this service reaches our girls,” he added.

His discussion was also based on the National Cancer Control Strategy, which is anchored on five pillars: prevention, diagnosis, imaging, treatment, and survivorship.

Project Officer for the Kenya Red Cross, Esther Wangare, emphasized the need to raise community awareness about NCDs which are often silent killers.

“We need to educate the community on importance of regular screening. Screening for blood pressure and blood sugar levels is vital,” Wangare noted.

Wangare also called for strengthening the capacity of community health promoters and providing them with the necessary equipment for NCD screening.

The meeting was also attended by county health officers and partner representatives from USAID Imarisha Jamii, Kenya Red Cross Society and National Council for Persons with Disabilities.