Battling the Silent Epidemic: Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases in Kenya

 As Kenya continues to make strides in reducing infectious disease rates, a new and often overlooked threat has quietly emerged as a leading cause of illness and death: non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Conditions like diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and heart disease now account for over 33% of all deaths in the country, according to the Ministry of Health.

Unlike communicable diseases, NCDs do not spread from person to person. They are often lifestyle-related, chronic in nature, and expensive to manage—making them particularly burdensome for individuals, families, and the healthcare system. Tackling this “silent epidemic” requires not just treatment, but prevention, early detection, and long-term care infrastructure.

Kenya’s healthcare sector—both public and private—is beginning to adapt. Leaders such as Jayesh Saini, founder of Lifecare Hospitals, Bliss Healthcare, and Dinlas Pharma, are playing a critical role in designing systems that address the unique challenges of NCD management across urban and rural populations.

1. Understanding the Rise of NCDs in Kenya

1.1 Changing Lifestyles and Urbanization

●       Sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption are increasing across Kenya.

●       Urbanization has brought convenience—but also stress, processed foods, and reduced physical activity.

1.2 Limited Early Detection

●       Many people live with undiagnosed conditions like diabetes or hypertension for years.

●       Screening services, especially in rural areas, remain scarce or irregular.

1.3 Costly and Prolonged Treatment

●       NCDs require ongoing medication, regular monitoring, and specialist care, making them expensive to manage without insurance or subsidy.

●       The economic burden on families can be severe, especially when diagnosis comes late.

2. The Private Sector's Role in NCD Prevention and Management

2.1 Lifecare Hospitals: Multi-Specialty Treatment and Continuity of Care

Jayesh Saini’s Lifecare Hospitals offer:

●       Dedicated departments for cardiology, oncology, endocrinology, and nephrology

●       NCD clinics in all branches to manage conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease

●       Patient follow-up systems to ensure consistent care and lifestyle monitoring

These hospitals are strategically located outside urban centers, ensuring access to specialty care in underserved regions.

2.2 Bliss Healthcare: Scaling Preventive Care

With over 100 outpatient centers, Bliss Healthcare provides:

●       Routine screening programs for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and cancer indicators

●       Health education initiatives to promote healthy diets, physical activity, and smoking cessation

●       NHIF integration, enabling affordable long-term care plans for chronic patients

This approach reduces the risk of advanced disease and empowers patients to manage their conditions early.

2.3 Dinlas Pharma: Ensuring Access to NCD Medication

One of the most significant barriers in NCD care is access to affordable medication. Dinlas Pharma:

●       Manufactures over 140 million tablets/month, including critical chronic medications

●       Supplies hospitals and pharmacies across all 47 counties

●       Supports treatment continuity by reducing dependency on imported, high-cost medicines

This pharmaceutical infrastructure is essential in supporting both outpatient and inpatient NCD care.

3. Challenges in Addressing NCDs

3.1 Awareness and Cultural Barriers

●       Many Kenyans remain unaware of NCD symptoms or the importance of routine screening.

●       Stigma around conditions like cancer can delay care-seeking behavior.

3.2 Affordability and Insurance Gaps

●       Many low-income patients remain uninsured or underinsured, making long-term care unsustainable.

●       NHIF coverage does not always fully support diagnostics or branded medications.

3.3 Rural Health Infrastructure

●       Specialist care is still concentrated in cities, while rural facilities may lack the equipment and expertise needed for NCD treatment.

4. The Way Forward: Sustainable Solutions for NCD Control

4.1 Strengthening Screening and Early Detection

●       Public-private initiatives should fund community-based screening drives for early identification.

●       Routine NCD checks can be bundled with other public health services for maximum reach and efficiency.

4.2 Public Education and Behavior Change Campaigns

●       Hospitals and health leaders should invest in mass awareness campaigns on nutrition, physical activity, and risk factors.

●       Collaborations with schools, media, and religious institutions can help normalize conversations around chronic disease.

4.3 Integrated Care Models

●       Facilities should offer multi-specialty care under one roof, reducing referrals and making treatment more convenient for patients.

●       Institutions like Lifecare and Bliss are already doing this, setting a precedent for system-wide adoption.

4.4 Localized Pharmaceutical Supply

●       Expanding local manufacturing through companies like Dinlas Pharma ensures consistent availability of essential NCD medications, even in remote counties.

Conclusion

Non-communicable diseases are reshaping the health profile of Kenya—and unless addressed urgently, they threaten to overwhelm the system. But with the right strategies, Kenya can turn the tide.

Jayesh Saini’s integrated healthcare model—combining specialist care, preventive services, and pharmaceutical self-reliance—demonstrates how private institutions can play a pivotal role in combating NCDs. His leadership offers a sustainable, scalable solution to one of Kenya’s most pressing health crises.

As Kenya moves toward Universal Health Coverage and long-term healthcare resilience, it is essential to recognize and replicate such models—where prevention meets access, and care is designed to last a lifetime.