Millions of Kenyans living with undiagnosed health conditions- Health PS Muthoni

A new report by the Ministry of Health has revealed a concerning trend that many Kenyans are living with serious health conditions without even realising it.

The statistics suggest that a large percentage of the population may only become aware of these ailments when their conditions have reached critical stages, making early intervention and treatment difficult.

According to the Ministry's Department of Public Health and Professional Standards, over 22.5 million Kenyans have been screened for diabetes, but more than 260,000 of them were unaware they were suffering from the disease.

Similarly, 15 million Kenyans were screened for hypertension, and about 577,000 have been referred to hospitals for specialised care.

The situation is particularly concerning for pregnant women, as data shows that out of 339,000 pregnant women screened, around 132,000 neglected to attend antenatal clinics, putting the health of both mothers and their unborn children at risk.

These alarming statistics have prompted calls for greater public awareness, with health officials urging Kenyans to make use of the ongoing holiday period to get screened and seek medical advice.

Public Health Cabinet Secretary Mary Muthoni explained the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, urging citizens to engage with Community Health Promoters (CHPs), who are actively working in communities nationwide.

"CHPs are doing a fantastic job in terms of registering people in the Taifa Care programme, taking blood pressure readings, and advising expectant mothers and caregivers on the importance of attending clinics," Muthoni said during a visit to Kibera on Tuesday, where she observed CHPs conducting door-to-door health checks.

"I want to thank them for being the link between our referral system and the Social Health Authority. They are the first point of contact at Level 1, and they offer their services for free," she added

Despite the vital role CHPs play in reaching underserved populations, Muthoni acknowledged that many Kenyans continue to neglect their health due to busy schedules or a lack of awareness.

She stressed that this oversight could result in higher medical costs in the long run, as conditions such as diabetes and hypertension are much more manageable if detected early.

"The reality is that many people do not prioritise their health, and this could be their biggest undoing. Now is the time for Kenyans to take action. The longer they wait, the more expensive their medical care will become," Muthoni warned.

Community Health Promoters, who operate under both national and county governments, will continue their work throughout the festive season, screening more individuals for common health issues like malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea, and malnutrition.

CHPs also register people for the Taifa Care programme, which provides affordable healthcare services across the country.

PS Muthoni also addressed the issue of payment delays for CHPs, which had caused some concern among the health workers.

She assured them that the government had resolved the issue and that all outstanding payments would be cleared by the end of the month.

"There have been delays in payments, but we are ensuring that the CHPs are compensated for their important work. We are working to verify the data and ensure that those serving the community are paid what they are owed," the PS explained.