NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 2 – Aga Khan University Hospital has launched Kenya’s first specialized lipid clinic to combat cardiovascular diseases by managing cholesterol disorders.
Lipids, commonly known as cholesterol, play essential roles in the body, including energy storage and cell membrane development.
However, excessive lipid levels can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, which restricts blood and oxygen flow to vital organs, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Cardiovascular diseases are the second leading cause of death in Kenya, accounting for 13% of total mortalities and 25% of hospital admissions, according to the 2024 Kenya National Guidelines for Management of Cardiovascular Diseases by the Ministry of Health.
The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) also highlights high blood pressure, obesity, and low physical activity as major risk factors.
The new Lipid Disorders Clinic will be staffed by cardiologists, family physicians, nutritionists, specialist nurses, and pathologists.
Services will include cholesterol assessment, genetic testing, result analysis, dietary advice, and education on maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
Aga Khan University Hospital CEO Rashid Khalani emphasized the clinic’s role in tackling risk factors such as family history, diabetes, obesity, poor diet, and smoking before they progress to heart disease.
“This is Kenya’s first specialized lipid clinic, established in response to rising heart disorders linked to the adoption of Western lifestyles, particularly unhealthy diets and physical inactivity,” Khalani said.
Kenya Cardiac Society (KCS) President Dr. Bernard Samia welcomed the initiative, calling for stronger collaboration between the private and public sectors to enhance cardiovascular health interventions.
