A child getting insulin injection. Cases of Diabetes Type 1 among children in Marsabit increase by 10%. Photo: WHO.
Laisamis and North Horr constituencies have recorded a worrying trend of Diabetes Type 1 among children by 10%, as well as youths of about 20-years-old, with over 300 children visiting the diabetic clinic.
According to the county’s statistics confirmed by head of non-communicable diseases at Marsabit Referral Hospial, Sororo Ginda, children 5 years accounted to the large number of the percentage, and adolescents on the rise, ever since the department started its operation in 2018, the last three months have witnessed children being diagnosed with Diabetes Type 1.
Sororo said there is need of research to be done, to determine the main cause of the increase in the chronic condition in the two constituencies.
“We have seen a worrying trend of increase of Diabetes Type 1 among children and youths below 20 years on the rise. In our database, children below five years accounting to almost 10%. Since we started operations in 2018, the last three months has witnessed a skyrocketing increase. We want to do a research on the new trend in North Horr and Laisamis among children,” she stated.
Sororo explained that for quite awhile now, Diabetes has been associated with family history, but the belief seem to be changing, as they have handled cases where both parents have no trace of diabetes, but they child suffers from the condition, a major alarm of need for research in the area.
“We have handled cases that the mother has no diabetes, but during clinic routines, the child suffers from diabetes. We want to call on partners and county government to do a research on why their is presence and increase of the condition among children,” she urged.
As lifestyle continues to change with the changing world, she urged parents to lead their children in a way that will not expose them to the disease. Further confirming that the babies can develop the condition depending on what their mothers’ eat, more research needs to be conducted in the area, to determine the mismatch.
She also said that the case has also seen arise among the elderly, saying that the current lifestyle has contributed to the increase, urging residents to watch on their lifestyle to avoid exposing themselves to instances of developing diabetes.
“We are also seeing an increase of the cases among the elderly, that has been contributed by poor lifestyle, and failing to watch what we eat exposing them to other risky conditions like stroke and hypertension. I will urge that we all engage in exercise, watch what we eat and our lifestyle pattern,” Sororo advised.
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