Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale is facing mounting pressure to declare a national emergency on the rise of non-communicable diseases in the country.
Religious leaders under the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) and health experts have asked the CS to take note of the rise in cases of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and take immediate action.
According to NCCK, there is an urgent need for government intervention to address the rising cases of cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Further, NCCK noted that the diseases are responsible for more than 50% of hospitalizations and 39% of deaths in Kenya.
The appeal was made during a two-day consultation by representatives of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) at the RCEA Conference and Training Center in Eldoret on Wednesday, March 26.
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NCCK Give Duale a List of Evidence
According to statistics cited by NCCK, patients with NCDs spend an average of Ksh130,000 every year on treatment, an economic burden that mostly affects low-income families.
Additionally, the Kenya NCDs Strategy indicates that 77% of health expenditures are sourced domestically, placing a strain on individual households and the national economy.
“The government has a responsibility to ensure adequate attention and resources are directed toward addressing this growing health crisis,”
“By declaring NCDs a national emergency, Kenya can mobilize the necessary funding, policies, and community interventions to curb this alarming trend,” said Bishop Dr. Emmanuel Chemengich, Chairman of the NCCK North Rift Region.
Drawing from biblical teachings, the church leaders highlighted the moral duty of safeguarding public health.
Quoting 1 Corinthians 6:19, they reminded Kenyans that their bodies are “temples of the Holy Spirit” and urged the government to establish policies that promote and protect healthy living.
Also Read: NCCK Urged MPs to Focus on Service Delivery Rather Than Personal Gain
Policy Recommendations
In their recommendations, the church leaders made suggestions on key policy recommendations for the government including ensuring front-of-pack warning labels.
The council urged the government to implement regulations requiring food processors to place clear warning labels on products containing high levels of sugar, salt, and saturated fats.
This move aligns with Article 46(1)(b) of the Constitution of Kenya, which grants consumers the right to necessary product information.
At the same time, the government has been asked to regulate unhealthy food advertisement. The clergy expressed concern over the increasing number of advertisements for unhealthy foods, particularly those targeting children.
They proposed strict regulations on the placement and content of such advertisements to curb the future burden of NCDs.
Similarly, NCCK asked Duale to ensure the adoption of a scientifically backed nutrient profile model, which would guide food standards enforcement by the Kenya Bureau of Standards and the Consumer Protection Authority.
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