CS Kagwe: People with non-communicable diseases at higher risk of contracting COVID-19

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe on Sunday urged people with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to follow medical advice and observe containment measures saying they are at a higher risk of contracting the novel coronavirus.

CS Kagwe spoke when he toured medical facilities in Othaya, Nyeri, where he announced that COVID-19 infections in Kenya rose to 3,594 after 137 more patients tested positive.

The CS termed NCDs as “a major concern” which contributes to one in every three deaths and is projected to rise in the country.

“NCDs have the potential of driving a household into poverty, and can reduce family incomes by 30%,” he said.

According to CS Kagwe, NCDs are “often silent” and usually one will not show symptoms “until too late,” further that “early action is best and is cheaper.”

The CS further added that the mortality rate of NCDs is rising saying they are the cause of at least half of the deaths in Nyeri.

The World Health Organization (WHO) last year said NCDs kill 41 million people each year, translating to 71% of all deaths globally.

“The main types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes,” it stated.

“NCDs disproportionately affect people in low- and middle-income countries where more than three quarters of global NCD deaths occur.”