The County Government of Uasin Gishu has initiated the establishment of County-level Technical Working Groups (TWGs) to coordinate the prevention and control of diabetes, hypertension, cancer and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), as part of efforts to strengthen access to timely and quality healthcare services.

Speaking during the engagement, Director of Clinical Services Dr. Evans Kiprotich called for a broader approach to cancer management, emphasizing the need to move beyond treatment to prevention, early diagnosis, appropriate referrals and effective palliative care.

He challenged health teams to assess whether communities are being partially or actively screened for cancers and develop practical interventions to improve early detection.

Director of Preventive and Promotive Services Laban Kiprop said the department was committed to supporting the process by empowering health facilities and investing more in preventive healthcare.

Kiprop called for increased screening and stronger community-based interventions, noting that Community Health Promoters (CHPs) have a critical role in creating awareness, guiding residents on prevention and encouraging timely access to health services.

He further urged health workers to rethink healthcare approaches by taking preventive services closer to communities. He noted that stronger collaboration between facilities and CHPs would enable the department to identify health risks earlier, reach more people and bridge gaps in NCD prevention and control.

Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Loice Luhumio emphasized the importance of strengthening existing cancer prevention services while exploring additional interventions to address the growing burden of the disease. She noted that effective implementation of the TWG structure would require the involvement of all stakeholders, with continuous health education playing a key role in empowering communities to make informed decisions about their health.

Dr Wenseslaus Kuria, who is the County Non-Communicable Disease Coordinator, called for a coordinated and practical approach to NCD prevention and management, stressing the importance of collaboration among healthcare workers, communities and other stakeholders.

The establishment of the TWGs is expected to provide a platform for coordinated planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of interventions aimed at reducing the burden of diabetes, hypertension, cancer and other NCDs across the County.