Kenya has called for urgent and sustained international action to tackle the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions, warning that they threaten global health, development, and prosperity.
Delivering Kenya’s statement on behalf of President William Ruto at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said health remains the foundation of dignity and shared progress but is under unprecedented strain.
He noted that in Kenya, NCDs account for 38 percent of all deaths, with more than half of adult hospital admissions linked to such conditions, while one in four Kenyans will experience a mental health challenge in their lifetime.
To address this crisis, Duale highlighted Kenya’s reforms under Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which include deploying 107,000 community health promoters equipped with diagnostic tools, enrolling 26 million citizens in the new Social Health Insurance programme, and decentralizing cancer treatment through three regional oncology centers.
The government has also invested in specialist training, modern health infrastructure, and public-private partnerships to strengthen service delivery.
Duale commended the World Health Organization, UN agencies, and civil society for their support but urged the global community to mobilize sustainable financing and enhance surveillance systems to detect and manage NCDs and mental health conditions effectively.
“The fight will be won at the primary health care level, with the voices of people with lived experience placed at the center of policymaking and accountability,” he said, reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to international collaboration.
Duale was joined at the high-level session by Dr. Gladwel Gathecha, head of NCDs at the Ministry of Health, and Dr. Bashir Isaak, head of Family Health.
By Michelle Ndaga
