Health CS Susan Nakhumicha has called for a multi-sectoral approach in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse in the country.
Speaking in Mombasa during the illicit alcohol and drug eradication conference on Monday, Nakhumicha expressed concern that the Ministry of Health bears the brunt of alcoholism and drug abuse.
She noted that a huge sum of money which would otherwise be used on the development agenda is used to manage the effects associated with alcoholism and drug abuse.
The CS said that unlike the common notion that drug and alcohol abuse is an individual problem, the issue should be looked at holistically as it affects the entire society.
"Some of us may look at it narrowly as a drug and an alcohol abuse problem affecting an individual yet this is a problem for the community," Nakhumicha said.
"This issue is bigger than just individuals who are taking alcohol or abusing drugs," the CS said.
According to the CS, the problem of Double threat of teenage pregnancies, sexual and gender-based violence and HIV/AIDs infections is exacerbated by alcohol and drug abuse.
Nakhumicha noted that the ministry used Sh75 billion on the management of HIV in 2023.
Broken down, she said the amount is enough to construct 1,200 health centres at a rate of Sh70 million per health centre.
This means that each county would get at least 22 health centres to take care of the health needs of citizens.
"If you look at issues around the spread of HIV/AIDs once individuals are in alcohol and drug abuse they drop their guns on protection and that is how we end up with the spread of HIV amongst our population," the CS said.
She raised concern that despite the effort being put in by the government, Kenya still ranks number 11 in the world on HIV/AIDS.
"Any time we go to global meetings to discuss HIV/AIDS, I discuss with my face looking downwards because we rank very highly so we must do something about alcohol and drug abuse," Nakhumicha said.
According to the CS, the incidences of teenage pregnancies in the country are caused by people who most likely engage in drug and alcohol abuse.
She further noted that sexual and gender-based violence is most likely caused by people who are engaging in drug and alcohol abuse.
