The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has urged the government to declare Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) a national disaster in light of the growing health crisis they pose. In a recent two-day forum themed “Policy Framework for Healthy Lives,” church leaders met to assess the national situation and strategize on responses to the rising threat of NCDs, which are now the second leading cause of death in Kenya after accidents.
Rev. Dr. Alphonse Kanga, Chairman of the NCCK Nairobi Region, highlighted that NCDs are responsible for over 50 percent of hospital admissions and 39 percent of deaths across Kenya. He expressed deep concern that despite the severity of the crisis, the government has failed to allocate sufficient resources to mitigate the impact of these diseases. In his appeal, Dr. Kanga called on the government to officially declare NCDs a national emergency to bring the necessary attention and resource allocation to combat them.
The lack of sufficient funding was a central theme in the forum’s discussions. Dr. Kanga pointed out that although the National Strategy on Non-Communicable Diseases (2022–2026) has an estimated budget of Ksh 37 billion, only Ksh 8 billion has been allocated to it. He condemned this shortfall, describing it as evidence of disregard for the suffering and lives of Kenyans. According to Dr. Kanga, this financial gap leaves the country unable to adequately respond to the NCD crisis and risks escalating an already dire situation.
“To manage NCDs, we need adequate funding, infrastructure, and human resources,” Dr. Kanga stated. “It is grossly unfortunate that the government has not provided the necessary financial resources, despite the toll NCDs are taking on Kenyans.” He added that timely action by the government could prevent a full-blown NCD epidemic.
The NCCK also recommended preventative measures, emphasizing the regulation of unhealthy food and beverage consumption. They urged the government to enact laws requiring clear front-of-pack warning labels to inform consumers about the risks of high levels of sugars, salts, and saturated fats. Dr. Kanga stressed the need to protect public health by limiting targeted advertising of unhealthy foods to children and educating Kenyans on the importance of healthy diets.
In addition, the NCCK advocated for the adoption of a nutrient profile model by the Ministry of Health and related stakeholders. This model would set standards for acceptable levels of different nutrients across food groups, helping ensure the food Kenyans consume is conducive to good health. “We urge the government to act swiftly and implement regulatory standards that will make healthy food choices accessible and affordable to all Kenyans,” Dr. Kanga stated.
The NCCK further addressed the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), criticizing the shift as premature and disruptive. According to Dr. Kanga, the rushed implementation of SHIF has led to widespread inaccessibility of essential healthcare services. He expressed concerns that the SHIF has thus far resulted in increased premiums without an equivalent improvement in benefits, leaving Kenyans worse off than they were under NHIF.
Dr. Kanga demanded that the government suspend SHIF’s implementation until its necessary structures and measures are fully operational. “We demand that the government reverts to the NHIF until the SHIF puts all necessary measures and structures in place,” he said. He added that benefits under SHIF should be enhanced to match or exceed those previously provided by the NHIF, noting that Kenyans deserve improved healthcare services, not diminished coverage and higher costs.
The call to action by the NCCK underscores the urgency of addressing Kenya’s NCD crisis, a problem that is reflected globally as these diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory illnesses, and cancer are the main contributors to the global NCD burden. In Kenya, NCDs cause significant suffering and strain on healthcare resources, accounting for more than half of in-patient admissions and almost 40 percent of deaths each year.
The NCCK’s appeal for government intervention emphasizes the need for comprehensive policies, adequate funding, and public health reforms to protect Kenyans from the rising tide of NCDs. Their plea serves as a reminder that the health and wellbeing of the nation depend on the swift and effective action of its leadership in tackling this crisis.
