Kenya marks World Diabetes Day with Free screenings in Nairobi

Kenya celebrated World Diabetes Day with a free health screening program targeting diabetes and thyroid-related conditions. The three-day initiative, held at Lion’s Hospital in Nairobi, concluded alongside the 10th Annual Lions Diabetes Symposium. The screenings, facilitated by Merck’s ThyroAfrica programme, involved TSH tests and HbA1c tests to aid in the detection and management of these non-communicable diseases.

Dr. Rilwan Adan, a physician and diabetologist, stressed the importance of screening for both conditions, as they can coexist, emphasizing the need for an integrated approach to early detection and comprehensive care. Community-based screening was highlighted as crucial, as many cases of diabetes and thyroid disorders remain undiagnosed due to insufficient routine health checks and low health-seeking behavior.

Globally, thyroid disorders are under-prioritized within national health strategies and NCD approaches, often diagnosed at advanced stages due to low awareness and limited screening, leading to higher mortality, treatment costs, and economic burdens. Merck’s General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, John Ndeti, highlighted that World Diabetes Day marks the culmination of year-long efforts to raise awareness, enhance access to screening, and improve healthcare workers’ capacity to tackle non-communicable diseases.

Merck launched ThyroAfrica in April 2025, offering a free online ThyroidAware Symptom Checker for community members to assess their risk and seek appropriate medical attention.