Diabetes News: Cases of diabetes on the rise in Kenya
Nairobi – During this year, Safaricom Diabetes Walk on Saturday with concern the increasing number of people suffering from the disease in the country.
The Ministry of Health and Hygiene, said that the prevalence of diabetes in the country will grow by 4.5 per cent until 2030, when the problem is not resolved urgently.
It is expected that the prevalence of diabetes vary from 2.6 to 3.3 per cent, over one million Kenyans suffering from the disease.
Speaking for the declaration of this years Safaricom Diabetes Walk on the plant grounds, the deputy director of medical services and head of non-communicable diseases Dr William Maina, said the diabetes epidemic threatens to reach a level where Kenyans continue overall healthy lifestyle.
“Even diabetes can be hereditary in most cases, it May be associated with unhealthy lifestyles, which many Kenyans. Poor diet and physical inactivity are the two main causes of chronic diseases, “he said.
Said Dr Maina announced as part of an unhealthy lifestyle, more than 20 per cent and seven per cent of men in the country are overweight or obese, while over 20 percent of the population or smoking or taking alcohol or other factors that could contribute to uncontrolled, increasing cases of diabetes.
This year’s event attracted over 5000 participants of all ages.
The annual event organized to raise money for Diabetes Management and Information (WIR) of the disease in the management and implementation of outreach programs.
This year, the DMI is to increase the SH 5 million to fund its activities, and so far, Safaricom Who are the main authors contributed 3.3 million shillings.
Safaricom Chief Information Technology Officer Robert Mugo urged Kenyans to take regular physical activity and healthy eating to prevent diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
“Simple changes in lifestyle such as diet and regular exercise to a large extent, to fight against this disease,” he said.
He said that the sponsorship of Safaricom in line with corporate social responsibility, which recognizes health as a basic economy.