Medics at Medecins Sans Frontieres have urged Homa Bay residents to go for regular screening for hypertension.
MSF said many of those diagnosed with hypertension in Homa Bay seek medication when it is at an advanced stage.
Medics agree the disease can be managed well if it is detected early.
MSF project coordinator at Homa Bay Bright Mukhuna and the organisation’s mobile activities manager Meli Hermine said there were deaths resulting from hypertension that could be prevented should residents go for screening regularly.
Mermine said proper management of hypertension can enable affected people to live for many years.
“It’s true that hypertension is manageable and that can only take place if the disease is detected early,” Hermine said.
Medics joined Homa Bay residents at Marindi village in Homa Bay Town constituency during celebrations of this year’s World Hypertension Day.
Hermine urged Homa Bay residents to develop a habit of seeking screening services at health facilities to enable early identification of the disease.
“We appeal to residents to develop a habit of seeking screening not only for hypertension but also other non-communicable diseases,” she said.
Mukhuna asked the government to buy and avail drugs for treating non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, asthma, diabetes and epilepsy.
He said many public health facilities lack drugs for non-communicable diseases, a situation that puts the lives of patients at risk.
MSF offered services at health facilities such as Nyalkinyi, Marindi and Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital.
“There is shortage of non- communicable diseases drugs not only in Homa Bay but in Kenya. Let the government of Kenya invest in purchasing such drugs to enhance management of the diseases,” Mukhuna said.
Homa Bay deputy director of curative and rehabilitative health Amos Dulo urged residents to avoid lifestyles that can cause hypertension.
“People should do exercises and avoid eating too much salt and sugar which lead overweight. Lifestyles which predispose people to risks of contracting the disease should also be avoided,” Dulo said.
