This year’s World Health Day is celebrated today, Friday 7th April. The day marks the founding of World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. The theme for this year is Health for All.
Access to chronic disease medication ‘still out of reach for many, WHO Report. Although medicines at government facilities are free or cheaper than those sold in private pharmacies, the availability of medicines is a constant challenge to many managing NCDs. Patients often purchase from private pharmacies, where NCD medicines cost more than at public facilities. Considering the rising number of new cases of NCDs in Kenya, whereby account for 27% of all deaths. Adult Kenyans have an 18% chance of dying prematurely from cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases or chronic respiratory diseases according to plos journals.
DAT has initiatives centered around empowering public on management and prevention of NCDs. We believe people need to be aware of potential conditions, show up for screening tests, change unhealthy practices, follow up on diagnostic tests, and adhere to prescribed medications and instructions from health personnel. This requires knowledge, skills and motivation. We create platforms for sharing – information on diabetes and other NCDs. Food is very critical in contribution of health of people and we have planned for initiatives on consumer sensitization and nutrition education, this aims at ensuring people -have access to safe and quality foods.
In line with this year’s theme, we advocate for rights to health and this include access and affordable health care for All especially for people living with NCDs. We urge national and County government and all actors to ensure strategies in place which guarantee that nobody is left out.
We therefore joined everyone and every institution/organization in celebrating this year’s World Health Day. We hope that through various concerted efforts, we will be able to advocate for Health for All.