Machakos County is one of the five counties that have benefited from diabetes equipment that were donated by one NGO over the weekend.
The Sh1.5 million worth of equipment by LifeScan will also benefit Nyeri, Tharaka Nithi, Nyandarua and Nyeri counties.
Lifescan says that the initiative is meant to manage diabetes through healthy eating habits and testing.
Francis Karanu, manager at LifeScan, said that the equipment will help in assessing the glucose metres in patients to enable the right diagnosis to be carried out.
“Many patients cannot afford to buy the diabetes equipment as they’re poor but these donations will go a long way in enhancing the prevention of diabetes”, said Karanu.
Karanu added that a survey shows that diabetes patients are likely to rise in the next ten years and therefore a need for prevention.
Speaking at the same function Kenya Defeat Diabetes Association (KDDA) chairman Reuben Magoko said that there are diabetes support groups in 24 counties.
“We want to expand our programmes to the other counties to ensure accessibility to health facilities and resources”, said Magoko.
LifeScan in conjunction with KDDA are also working together to see on how to diabetes can be managed effectively. The KDDA project manager Jane Muthoni asked Kenyans to exercise frequently and to go for regular tests.