A life on the road has taken its toll on Alphonce Wambua. For 25 years, he has been transporting goods between Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, and Mombasa, a coastal city located nine hours away. This demanding lifestyle has led to long work hours, unhealthy eating habits, and inconsistent sleep patterns. Thus, it was a surprise when he learned he had hypertension a few years back.
“I didn’t see it coming – I assumed I was just very fatigued,” Wambua recalls as he visits the clinic where he received the diagnosis to collect his monthly medication. “The job is incredibly stressful. There’s hardly any time to rest because clients are constantly waiting for their cargo to be delivered or picked up.”
The Human Impact of Non-Communicable Diseases
The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is significant and continues to grow. These diseases account for roughly 41 million out of the 56 million annual deaths worldwide, with three-quarters occurring in developing nations. Unlike infectious diseases, NCDs originate from a mix of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors. The primary types are cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues such as heart attacks and strokes. Remarkably, about 80% are preventable, and their incidence is climbing as aging populations and unhealthy lifestyles driven by urban growth become more prevalent.
NCDs, once regarded as afflictions of the affluent, now affect the impoverished. These diseases are instrumental in perpetuating inequality; poorer individuals often face challenges in receiving timely and accurate diagnoses or treatments. Investment to combat these prevalent illnesses responsible for 71% of deaths remains alarmingly limited compared to their economic toll on families and communities.
Health Services for Mobile Workers
Located along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa highway in Mlolongo, the health facility receives a continuous stream of patients. Besides local workers and residents, the clinic also caters to truck drivers from a nearby rest area, forming part of a network of 19 roadside health facilities managed by the nonprofit North Star Alliance. This initiative aims to provide prioritized medical care for mobile populations.
North Star Alliance, established in 2006 to address HIV and STD issues in the transport sector during the AIDS crisis, expanded its focus to various health challenges, including NCDs. According to Jacob Okoth, a program manager at the organization, traditional healthcare systems often overlook mobile workers, who have distinct schedules and insufficient time for conventional service hours. In 2022, North Star’s clinics assisted over 180,000 patients, with near one-third being truck drivers. However, funding limitations mean only a small number receive treatment for hypertension and diabetes.
Wambua emphasizes the critical need for regular health check-ups, especially for truckers who often lead sedentary lifestyles. Truck drivers like him typically consume a high-carbohydrate diet to sustain their energy levels on long hauls but struggle to maintain proper nutrition. With Wambua’s routine centered around simple meals such as ugali (boiled maize meal), he notes the urgency in monitoring one’s health. Though the clinics provide free medication when resources allow, due to funding shortages, they primarily prescribe medications instead of dispensing them.
Access to flexible health services and timely diagnoses can be lifesaving for individuals like Wambua. Following his doctor’s advice, he has made gradual lifestyle changes to better manage his condition. Although drastic dietary adjustments are often too costly, he tries to engage in short morning walks and maintain some level of physical activity on his days off. “As a truck driver, understanding your health is essential for effective management,” Wambua concludes.
