The Kenya Diabetes Study Group (KDSG) will mark a decade of
engagement in diabetes care with its 10th Annual conference, a 4-day Celebration
event beginning on May 7 in Naivasha.
Themed “A Decade in Diabetes Care,”
the 2025 event comes at a critical time, as Kenya and the wider region grapple
with the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
Diabetes, in particular,
remains a significant public health challenge, with rising cases reported
across both urban and rural areas.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body is unable to
properly process glucose (sugar), either due to insufficient insulin production
or ineffective insulin use.
This leads to elevated blood sugar levels, which
over time can cause serious health complications, including heart disease,
kidney failure, and vision loss.
Recent data indicates that the prevalence of diabetes in Kenya has
been on the rise. According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of
diabetes among adults aged 20 to 79 was 4 per cent in 2021.
Kenya had approximately
821,500 adults living with diabetes in 2021, representing about 3 per cent of the adult
population.
However, other sources suggest that the current prevalence may be
closer to 4.5 per cent, with a higher prevalence in urban areas compared to rural ones.
The
economic burden of diabetes is also substantial.
A 2021 study estimated the
total cost of managing type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Kenya at approximately USD635
million (Sh74.5 billion),
accounting for about 60 per cent of the country’s health sector budget. The
majority of these costs were attributed to complications, particularly
nephropathy.
In a welcome message, KDSG
President Dr Rosslyn Ngugi said the celebration would provide an opportunity
to reflect on how far the country has come in diabetes care over the past ten
years and what more needs to be done.
“This year’s event is
particularly special as we reflect on a decade of advancements, challenges, and
milestones in diabetes care,” Dr Ngugi said.
“While we celebrate our
achievements, we must recommit ourselves to the work that lies ahead.”
The event is expected to bring together healthcare professionals,
researchers, and policymakers for presentations and strategy discussions aimed
at improving diabetes outcomes in Kenya.
The agenda includes sessions on
emerging treatment approaches, digital health tools, and community-level
interventions.
Dr Ngugi also emphasised the importance of learning from the lived
experiences of people managing diabetes daily, noting their resilience and role
in shaping future approaches to care.
The event will commemorate a decade of Diabetes fight by KDSG, while
also providing a strategic platform to foster new partnerships and innovative
solutions in response to one of Kenya’s most pressing health challenges.
The
gathering will underscore the growing urgency surrounding access,
affordability, and public awareness of diabetes care.