Diabetes screening. [photo/the-star.co.ke]
Kenyans have been urged to embrace a healthier lifestyle. Speaking during the World Diabetes Day celebrations, Dr. Sairabu Sokwalla, Head of Department Diabetes Care Centre at MP Shah Hospital, said statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicate that in 2015, 415 million people were suffering from diabetes mellitus and the number is projected to rise to 642 million by 2040. She said in Africa, those suffering from the disease are 14.2 million meaning that one in 11 adults are living with the condition while one out of two is undiagnosed.
“Diabetes is a lifestyle disease that can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle, diet, and exercise. Those who have it are advised to take insulin to manage the condition,” she said.
She further said that there are three types of diabetes type 1 which manifests on insulin-deficiency and is common among young people, diabetes type 2 which is the most common one and manifests in insulin resistance as well as gestational diabetes common among pregnant women. Some of the risk factors according to Sokwalla include an increase in age, family history, obesity, stress, and symptoms include sudden weight loss, always being tired, frequent urination and a blurred vision.
“It is advisable for every individual to live healthy, adopt new healthy habits, balance calories intake and control weight gain,” she added. In Nakuru County, more than 10,000 people were screened at the Nakuru Provincial General Hospital.
Speaking during the celebrations at Nyayo gardens, Chief Officer of Health Dr. Samwel Mwaura said the center has been able to provide enhanced attention and service delivery to the needs of diabetic patients though he expressed concern about the rising number of new cases. He said the county is in the process of rolling out the outreach programmes to the sub-counties to ensure that many people know their status.