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Non-communicable Diseases and COVID-19 in Kenya

COVID 19 & NCDS

In its 23rd March 2020 report, World Health Organization also elaborated the link between NCDs and COVID-19.

There is now evidence that persons living with NCDs and adults aged 60 years and older, or people of any age with underlying medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. For persons living with NCDs, such as diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular diseases, mental illness, sickle cell disease, kidney disease among others, the NCD compromises their immune system making them more likely to get poor outcomes from COVID-19 infection.

Persons with inadequately controlled NCDs are particularly at risk of severe infection with COVID-19.

COVID-19 pandemic revealed the lack of investment in prevention, early diagnosis, screening, and appropriate treatment of NCD Persons living with diabetes, heart disease, kidney diseases, hypertension and obesity are particularly vulnerable to severe complications and death from COVID-19.

NCDAK advocates for the prioritisation of treatment and care of persons living with NCDs in the national COVID-19 response to prevent an upsurge in life-threatening NCD-related complications and COVID-19 deaths

  • COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the lack of investment in prevention, early diagnosis, screening and appropriate treatment of NCDs.
  • Persons living with diabetes, heart disease, kidney diseases, hypertension and obesity are particularly vulnerable to severe complications and death from COVID-19.
  • Daily situation report 19 July 2020 – 13,353 cases – 234 COVID-19 deaths recorded:
Co-morbidities 54% (126)
54%
No co-morbidities 9% (22)
9%
Missing data 37% (86)
37%
  • NCD Co-morbidities
Hypertension 56% (68)
56%
Diabetes 48% (58)
48%
Heart conditions 9% (11)
9%
Cancer 8% (10)
8%
Kidney disease 5% (6)
5%
Asthma 2% (2)
2%

COVID-19 pandemic revealed the lack of investment in prevention, early diagnosis, screening and appropriate treatment of NCD

Persons living with diabetes, heart disease, kidney diseases, hypertension and obesity are particularly vulnerable to severe complications and death from COVID-19

Prioritisation of treatment and care of persons living with NCDs in the national COVID-19 response to prevent an upsurge in life-threatening NCD-related complications and COVID-19 deaths

Socio-economic Impact of COVID-19 on households (KNBS household survey June 2020)

61.9% absent from work for COVID related challenges | 77.8% not sure when they would resume
62%
37.0% unable to pay rent for May 2020 | Reduced income main reason for defaulting
37%
78.6% of households food insecure: 21.9% households without food stocks | 78.8% households experienced increased food prices | 21.6% worried about food security
79%
18.4% received cash transfers from relatives
18%

Your Mental Health Matters

While there are benefits to staying up to date with the news, too much can take a toll on our mental well-being.

  • Read trustworthy news sources. The Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organization, are best placed to provide you with the facts.
  • Stay Positive.
  • Keep Perspective and focus.
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