The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has convened a two-day forum to address concerns over the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) among adolescents.
Held at the Jumuia Conference and Country Home in Limuru, the gathering brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including education, health, and religious institutions.
Key figures such as Chairpersons of County Coordinating Committees, NCCK representatives on County Education Boards, and Secondary School Principals also joined the discussion.
NCD survivors were also among the members in attendance who emphasized the urgency of the matter.
Reflecting on the worrying statistics and trends surrounding NCDs among young people, the forum highlighted the need for immediate actions.
Kenya Adolescent Health Survey Statistics
“We have noted with deep concern the rising trend of adolescents contracting Non-Communicable Diseases. It is saddening that the probability of a young person dying early from an NCD stands at just over 18%,” read a statement by NCCK.
“Statistics from the Kenya Adolescent Health Survey of 2020 indicated that 1.4% were diagnosed with high blood pressure, 0.9% with asthma, 0.6% with cancer, 0.4% with diabetes, and 26.8% with sickle cell,” the statement added.
Central to the discussions was the role of nutrition in preventing and managing NCDs.
In their statement NCCK noted with concern that many schools fail to provide nutritionally balanced meals to their students, citing reasons such as the high cost of foodstuffs and weak enforcement of nutritional guidelines.
According to the council, this neglect, coupled with cultural influences and a lack of oversight mechanisms, contributes to an environment where unhealthy eating habits prevailed.
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In response to these challenges, the NCCK put forth a series of recommendations aimed at addressing the root causes of poor nutrition in schools.
NCCK Advocates for Nutritional Meals
The council urged the government to prioritize the nutritional value of school meals. It also called for the appointment of nutritionists at the subcounty level to collaborate with schools in meal planning.
“We call upon the government to make a deliberate decision to focus on the nutritional value of the meals served to learners in schools. The health of the learners should invite as much attention as the learners’ presence in the school,” continued the council’s statement.
Additionally, expanding the school feeding program and integrating NCD prevention into the curriculum were proposed as essential steps towards promoting healthy eating habits among students.
Local stakeholders, including County Education Boards and School Boards of Management, were urged to take proactive measures in monitoring students’ health status and ensuring the quality of meals served in schools.
“Parents are also encouraged to play a role in instilling healthy eating habits in their children from an early age, thereby contributing to the long-term well-being of future generations,” NCCK advised.
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Creating Awareness on NCDs
Further, the NCCK reaffirmed its commitment to raising awareness about NCDs and advocating for policies that promote healthy eating practices in schools.
“We have committed to use our platforms, especially the pulpit, to promote healthy eating and to create widespread knowledge on Non-Communicable Diseases.
“We are also working to promote development and implementation of policies aimed at streamlining the procurement of food in all schools,” the council assured.
With concerted efforts from all sectors of society, the organization believes that significant strides can be made in combating the growing threat of NCDs among adolescents.
