Kenyan patients urged to act early on weight, diabetes

Kenyans have been urged to seek medical assessment early when faced with weight-related health challenges.

Specialists warned that obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease are increasingly becoming interconnected public health concerns across the region.

The call was made during specialist clinics held at The Aga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam on June 17 and 18, 2026, where doctors highlighted the growing number of patients developing serious health complications before receiving proper diagnosis and treatment.

Medical experts noted that cities such as Nairobi and Dar es Salaam are experiencing similar trends, with rising cases of weight gain, diabetes, hypertension, reflux disease, kidney complications and circulation disorders affecting people at younger ages. 

According to specialists, many patients only seek treatment when symptoms become severe, yet early intervention can prevent life-threatening complications and improve long-term health outcomes.

Addressing the clinics, Dr Syed Tanseer Asghar said obesity should be viewed as a medical condition when it begins affecting a person's overall health rather than merely an issue of appearance.

“Many patients do not come because they want to change appearance,” Tanseer said.

“They come because weight is already affecting diabetes, blood pressure, sleep, joints, reflux or movement. That is when it becomes a medical issue.”

Tanseer, a specialist in bariatric, laparoscopic and general surgery, works with patients whose weight has become a significant threat to their health.

His practice focuses on surgical and non-surgical interventions aimed at managing obesity and related illnesses, often through minimally invasive procedures.

His work in Tanzania has contributed to the development of weight-management surgery services, training of local healthcare teams and expansion of advanced minimally invasive treatment options.

Approximately 100 weight-related surgeries have reportedly been performed through the programme.

However, he cautioned that surgery is not a universal solution and should only be considered after comprehensive medical evaluation.

“The right question is not simply whether a patient can have surgery,” he said. “The right question is whether the patient is ready, safe and supported before and after treatment.”

The warning comes as Kenya continues to grapple with rising obesity levels. The 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey found that 45 per cent of women aged between 20 and 49 years were either overweight or obese, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing the country.

Specialists say obesity often acts as a gateway to other chronic illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and kidney complications, making early diagnosis and management critical.

The same concerns were echoed by Dr Sana Sharafat Ali, widely recognised as Pakistan’s first female vascular surgeon. Dr Sana specialises in conditions affecting blood circulation, including painful veins, non-healing wounds and dialysis access complications for kidney patients.

“Blood flow problems often start quietly,” Dr Sana said. “Swelling, painful veins, wounds that do not heal and dialysis access problems should not wait until an emergency.”

She noted that many circulation-related conditions progress gradually and may remain unnoticed until they become severe, underscoring the need for regular medical reviews among high-risk patients.

The specialists said Kenyan patients seeking advanced assessment and treatment options can access consultations and specialist reviews in neighbouring Tanzania, stressing that medical decisions should be based on professional evaluation rather than panic or emergency situations.

Another specialist clinic focusing on weight-related and vascular health conditions is expected to be held at The Aga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam, in September 2026, offering patients another opportunity to receive expert assessment and guidance.