Medics urged to give priority to the aging
At least 2.6 million senior citizens are at risk of contracting Covid-19 as positive cases and deaths continue to soar, the Ministry of Health has warned.
Briefing the media yesterday, Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Rashid Aman expressed concern that the elderly are susceptible to Covid-19 due to low immune systems and lack of access to health facilities.
This comes as the number of coronavirus cases rose to 14,168 after 397 people tested positive in the last 24 years from 3,637 tested samples. Out of the new cases, 389 are Kenyans, 8 foreigners, 236 males and 161 females.
At least 12 people have died within 24 hours, pushing the national death tally to 250. The cumulative samples tested so far are 249,998.
“Healthy aging is associated with psychological, cognitive, social and lifestyle changes that influence dietary intakes and nutritional status. Nutrition deserves special attention as they reach older age.
The correct diet is essential to their good health than at a younger age,” said Aman.
To protect the most vulnerable group in the society, Aman urged healthcare workers to give them top priority in health facilities.
“They should ask them about pre-existing health conditions previous and current medication as there is fear they might not be getting proper access to optimal nutrition and proper care from caregivers,” he added.
The CAS observed that senior citizens are stressed, anxious and fearful of leaving their houses to seek medication.
He noted that in the normal ageing process, inevitable and irreversible physical changes occur such as poor feeding, reduced nutrition intake and reduced appetite changes in taste and smell and difficulty in breathing.
Sound advice
“In developing countries like Kenya where mass consumption indices have not been attained, the price of food rich in micronutrients is discouraged because of price factors that exposes older people to increased morbidity and mortality,” he said.
He urged health practitioners, educators, caregivers to provide sound advice and support senior citizens to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating staple foods, legumes, nuts and roots, moderate animal source food and fruits.
On counties preparedness, Aman said the report card on President Uhuru Kenyatta directive for every county to have at least 300-bed capacity will be out on Friday.
“The President will have a meeting or summit with governors to review progress and the level of their preparedness. The ministry is also working closely with counties,” he said.
Regarding the vaccine on trial and being developed inn the UK, Aman expressed fear about the possibility of the drugs reaching developing countries saying developed nations may out power developing countries in purchase and of successful Covid-19 vaccine due to their financial might.
“The entire world is looking for a successful vaccine and some countries have placed huge orders.
Developed countries benefit first and we end up at the end of the queue,” he said.
He also expressed optimism that the diplomatic effort going on to see vaccine is shared equally between developed countries and low and middle income countries will yield fruits to enable Kenya get a share of the doses.
