Cost Effectiveness of Cervical Cancer Screening Tests in Kenya
Due to limited access to screening and treatment, the cervical cancer incidence rate is more than 5 times higher in Kenya compared to High Income Countries (HICs)³. Inequitable access to vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is poised to worsen cervical cancer disparities in the future. Cervical cancer stands as the predominant HPV-related disease, with […]
Advancing Sickle Cell Disease Management in Africa: Drawing Lessons from the UK’s NHS Investment in Automated Red Blood Cell Exchange Technology (Spectra Optia®)
Burden of disease Sickle cell disease (SCD) remains a significant public health challenge across Africa, with 75% of SCD cases occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Without proactive measures, it is estimated that 50-90% of affected children do not survive beyond their fifth birthday.[1] However, recent advancements in treatment, particularly red blood cell exchange technologies, offer […]
Bridging the Healthcare Divide: Private Equity’s Impact on Cardiovascular Diagnostics in Africa
Burden of disease Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of disability and premature death on a global scale, contributing substantially to the escalating costs of health care. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that CVDs are the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year with over 75% of […]
From Diagnosis to Debt: “The Impact of Cancer Treatment on African Households”
Cancer has a far-reaching impact, affecting millions of people and causing nearly 10 million deaths worldwide in 2020, which accounts for about one in every six deaths. [i]. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that Africa, home to over 1.4 billion people, which makes up 18% of the global population, is particularly susceptible to HPV […]
Reducing the Cancer Burden Amongst Men
Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Kenya and causes over 27,000 deaths each year (Globocan, 2020). This is despite 30-50% of cancers being preventable through vaccination, risk reduction, screening and early detection which would markedly reduce the burden of cancer (WHO, 2021) Among Kenyan men, the leading cancers are prostate cancer (21.9 […]
Diabetes – An Urgent Need for Multilateral Efforts to Provide Access to Treatment and Health Education
To have or not to have sugar? World Diabetes Day (WDD) takes place on November 14 and was created in 1991 by International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. WDD became an official United Nations Day in 2006 and is reaching a […]
World Mental Health Day: Let’s Make Mental Health a Global, and an Everyday Priority
World Mental Health Day is a global event that aims to promote and raise awareness about, and eradicate stigma associated with mental health conditions. It was first observed in 1992 and it is commemorated every year on 10th October. The theme of the day this year is to make mental health and well-being for all […]
Reinforcing the New Public Health Order to Bridge the Gaps in Chronic Disease Prevention and Management
Non- Communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, are diseases that are not transmitted from person to person. NCDs are of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.[1] In the Africa region there are four main types of NCDs: cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and […]
Awareness – the best form of Prevention
World Sickle Cell Day is observed annually on 19th of June to increase public knowledge and awareness on sickle cell disease and the associated challenges that results to patients and their families. It was established in 2008 at the United Nations General Assembly. On this day, individuals and groups across the globe recognize sickle cell […]
World Vitiligo Day
World Vitiligo Day is celebrated annually on the 25th of June 2022, to not only create awareness but to also recognize the social neglect, bullying, psychological trauma, and disability of those affected by vitiligo. Recognition of this day started as a small movement in Nigeria in 2011, led by an individual called Ogo together with […]
