1.8m Kenyans Have Chronic Kidney Disease, According To The MoH

According to the Ministry of Health, chronic kidney disease affects about 1.8 million people.

Chronic renal disease, another name for chronic kidney disease, is a disorder in which kidney function gradually declines over time. CS health Susan Wafula stated on Thursday that 2.4% of adults had diabetes, while close to a quarter of the adult population has high blood pressure.

Despite this burden, only 8% of those with hypertension are receiving therapy, and only 4% have their blood pressure under control. Similar to this, just 21% of people with diabetes are receiving treatment, and only 7% have their condition under control.

Chronic kidney disease is largely caused by NCDs including hypertension and diabetes, which are poorly controlled, have a high prevalence, are diagnosed late, have limited treatment options, and are widely prevalent.

The CS made this statement in an address delivered in her place at the World Kidney Day celebration at Kenyatta National Hospital by Elizabeth Ochieng, Director of the Ministry’s NCDs Division. The CS reaffirmed the government’s dedication to delivering universal health coverage, which aims to provide access to vital, high-quality medical care without placing its people in difficult financial situations.

Kidney disorders are becoming a significant social, economic, and public health concern. We must move quickly to stem this deadly flood and get those who have been diagnosed under control in order to stop complications from arising, she warned.

The ministry has sponsored the creation of renal units and centers throughout the counties, along with other support services including highly sophisticated diagnostics, to increase access to high-quality kidney health services.

Conditions that harm your kidneys and lessen their capacity to keep you healthy by filtering waste from your blood are included in chronic kidney disease. Wastes can accumulate to high amounts in your blood and make you feel ill if renal disease progresses.