A Ministry of Health official, Joseph Ngutiku, tests a member of the public for blood sugar as Dr Dominic Ongaki of the division of NCDs in the Ministry of Health and the CMMB programme manager for NCDs Jesse Kihuha at the CMMB booth at the just concluded 2025 Devolution Conference in Homa Bay county /MUSEMBI NZENGU
The Catholic Medical Mission Board has unveiled new measures to curb rising cases of deaths linked to non-communicable diseases.
Programmes manager Jesse Kihuha said they have received many cases of diabetes, hypertension, cancer and asthma.
He warned that premature deaths of Kenyans under the age of 70 has become alarmingly frequent.
“When you look at the majority of hospitalisations in level 4, 5 and 6 facilities, more than 55 per cent are as a result of NCDs,” Kihuha said.
CMMB put up a screening booth at the 2025 Devolution Conference that screened visitors' pressure and sugar levels.
Kihuha said majority of those screened were unware that they had high sugar levels in their blood.
The NGO, in partnership with the Ministry of Health officials, gave referrals to treatment facilities.
Kihuha said the organisation is focused on accelerating access to first-line oral medicines for diabetes and hypertension at the primary healthcare level, particularly in dispensaries and health centres.
He said CMMB is leveraging supportive laws such as the Social Health Insurance Act, the Primary Health Care Act, the Digital Health Act and the SHA Act to establish a revolving fund within primary health facilities.
The NCD programme is currently being
rolled out in 10 counties namely, Kitui, Homa Bay, Siaya, Nyamira, Migori, Nairobi,
Machakos, Makueni, Kwale and Mombasa.
Kihuha said Kenya is at a point of epidemiological transition, shifting from infectious diseases and maternal-child health to the growing burden of chronic illnesses.
“For the last seven years, we have been building a footprint in cancer, especially cervical cancer programmes in Kitui county. This new initiative is anchored on collaboration with the government, Kemsa, the Council of Governors and the Division of NCDs and Cancer,” he said.
