The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Management of Non-Communicable Diseases in Kenya: Challenges and Opportunities for Health Systems

COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on healthcare systems worldwide, including the management of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). This paper examines the effect of COVID-19 on the management of NCDs in Nyeri, Isiolo, Machakos and Kisumu counties in Kenya. The specific objectives were to establish the management of NCDs and identify changes and frequency in sensitization on NCDs during and before COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data, comprising both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative data were collected through a retrospective analysis of NCDs management data from January 2019 to June 2021, while qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with healthcare workers and patients. Purposive sampling was used to select Key Informants while random sampling was used to samples the patients. In total a sample size of 328 respondents were sampled. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was used to compare patient perceptions of hospital services in the management of non-communicable diseases during COVID-19 and before COVID-19 and result indicated Z-Score of -3.925. In addition, 44.1% stated that there were changes in frequency of community sensitization on NDCs, while 35.3% stated no changes and 20.6 % of respondents were not sure if there were changes in frequency of community sensitization on NDCs during COVID-19 compared to pre COVID-19 period. This indicated that patient perceptions were significantly worse during COVID-19 compared to before COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the management of NCDs in Kenya. The number of patients seeking treatment for NCDs declined due to fear of contracting COVID-19 in healthcare facilities. Overall, the study highlights the need for urgent action to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and other related illness on the management of NCDs in Kenya in future. This includes developing innovative strategies to increase access to NCDs services while minimizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission and other related illness. The strategies include observing personal/community hygiene, strengthening health systems to ensure the availability of essential medicines and supplies, and providing adequate support and resources to healthcare workers during times of outbreak.