Head of Division of non-communicable diseases in the Ministry of Health, Dr Kibachio Mwangi. [Photo/Nation]
More than four million people suffering from diabetes in the country may have to pay for medication as the programme that has beenfinancing free treatment comes to an end next year.
Head of Division of non-communicable diseases in the Ministry of Health, Dr Kibachio Mwangi, said the government would only providefree insulin to children and subsidised insulin for adults.
Speaking in Embu where the programme by Doctors Without Borders is coming to an end, Dr Mwangi said patients would be expected to bear the cost of needles for injecting the medication as well as the periodical testing kits (HD-16).
He said 10 per cent of Kenyans suffer from diabetes while 10 per cent of those with the condition are below 18 years.
Diabetes kits are currently given for free through a joint effort between the government and Doctors Without Borders, while the currentinsulin subsidy is funded by Novo Nordisk and the Kenya Diabetes Management and Information Centre.
“The partners have been influential in the reduction of the cost of insulin to about Sh200 in public health facilities. The drug has been free to children. We hope to get new partners to help in funding the programme,” said Dr Mwangi.