How the Kenya NCDs Strategy 2021/2022 – 2021/2026 aims to transform NCDs Health service delivery in Kenya

July 27, 2021

Nairobi, Kenya

The Ministry of Health launched the National Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) 2021/2022 – 2025/2026 at the Panafric Hotel, Nairobi. The new strategic plan highlights the increasing incidence of NCDs among younger age groups and lower socioeconomic groups while calling for the prioritization of people living with NCDs (PLWNCDs) in the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination.

NCDs account for nearly 46% of all deaths in Kenya largely attributable to the adoption of unhealthy lifestyles including tobacco use, consumption of unhealthy diets, insufficient physical activity, and harmful use of alcohol. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how health services are financed and exposed the gaps in the health systems on the maintenance of essential services with health receiving less than 9% of the Country’s budget against the target of at least 15%.

“The development of the Kenya National NCD Strategic Plan (NSP) 2021/22-2025/26 is informed by the need to strengthen the comprehensive multi-sectoral response to the increasing NCDs burden “ Chief Administrative Secretary for Health, Dr. Mercy Mwangangi said at the launch.

The developed NCDs Strategy places emphasis on population-wide prevention and control measures, as well as strengthening health systems for the whole continuum of care for NCDs.