Hospital launches diabetes care unit for 3,000 patients

Governor Wycliffe Oparanya testing for blood sugar levels at Kakamega County Hospital during the launch of Diabetes Comprehensive Care Unit at the facility on July 30th, 2015. [PHOTO/CHRISPEN SECHERE/STANDARD].

A diabetes care unit has been launched at the Kakamega County Referral Hospital.

The unit, established through support from the Novo Nordisck organisation, aims at offering comprehensive quality treatment and care for diabetes patients in Western Kenya.

Speaking during the launch of the unit, Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said county governments have a primary responsibility of ensuring residents have access to better health care.

He said diabetes contributes to five  per cent of deaths globally, becoming the fourth most deadly disease.

“Health is a devolved function and as a county government, we have the responsibility to ensure our people get access to better medical attention in all health facilities. Diabetes remains one of the most dangerous diseases globally but we are determined to reduce its impact in society,” said Oparanya.

He said the county government would hire qualified medical workers, increase funds for health programmes and purchase modern equipment  to improve the quality of medical services.

“We have to ensure that we accommodate all patients by providing quality health services. We need to equip our hospitals with modern facilities so that no patient is referred to any other hospital outside this county,” he said.

Dr Steve Biko, the doctor in charge of the comprehensive diabetes unit at the hospital, said already, they have more than 3,000 patients on treatment.

He said that the number has been increasing each year. In 2010, they had 1,383 patients compared to the current 3,000 who are under the care programme for purposes of monitoring by experts.