Comment by Faraj on February 16, 2012 at 22:09

So now that they have declared obesity an epidemic in some countries, (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2608606/pdf/jnma00357-0...) does that make it a disease, or does it remain a condition?

Shall we add it on to the list of NCDs????

Comment by NCD Action Network Team on March 15, 2012 at 19:11

Some obesity experts have framed it as a disease - there are benefits to that, because it takes the onus off the individual and makes a better case for policy intervention. But technically speaking is it not more of an intermediate risk factor (i.e. it sits in between malnutrition and physical inactivity and the diseases)?

Comment by Duncan Matheka on March 19, 2012 at 2:41

NCD Action Network March Third Thursday (3T) Report - Nairobi, Kenya

The 3T meeting began at 1715 hours on 15^th March 2012. Attended by 19 members, the meeting took place at LT 2, University of Nairobi. The members introduced themselves in a bid to know the new members to the group. Daniel Mutonga, a fourth year medical student, gave a brief talk and introduced the NCD Action Network to the new members. He also made a video presentation on non communicable diseases, and led the members in a guided discussion on ‘freedom in NCDs’.  The members generally agreed that there was an urgent need for the masses to be educated on harmful products in the market, particularly those that cause non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This was seen as the most effective method of eradication most diseases. Government legal interventions were also viewed to be significant, especially by enforcing legislations to prevent corporations from taking advantage of ignorant masses to sell products that are known health hazards.

Mr Daniel Kiarie, the assistant registrar of the College of health sciences – University of Nairobi, was present. He made a brief talk on international links for students, scholarship opportunities and student volunteering. This was an eye opener on potential partners for the Kenya NCD Action Network Group, as well as opportunities for members to advance their careers. Thereafter, Duncan Matheka, the Chairman, ended the meeting with announcements on future group activities. Mr Gakinya Gakuo, one of the members, closed the meeting with a word of prayer at 1915 hours. The next meeting was scheduled for 19^th April 2012.

Comment by Duncan Matheka on May 7, 2012 at 11:15

Third Thursday (3T)

Comment by Duncan Matheka on May 15, 2012 at 5:54

MEDICAL CAMP

Venue: Umoja Estate, Nairobi
Date: Wednesday 23rd May 2012
Time: 9am-3pm
Available: Transport and Certificates
Organizers: World Doctors Christian Network (WDCN)

Those truly interested and available should get to me ASAP. via 0726469147

NB: The monthly NCD meeting will be on 24th May 2012 (LT2, 5-6pm)

Comment by Duncan Matheka on June 19, 2012 at 9:44

Greetings,

 

This Thursday, June 21st, we'll be hosting another Third Thursday meeting - a casual gathering of young professionals who work/are interested in NCDs. Last month, we had a successful medical camp at Umoja, Nairobi. This month, we will be tossing around ideas for local action - what is that we can do as a group that can have some sort of local impact on NCDs? Bring your thoughts, ideas to the table and let's figure out what we can do! We will also have a specialist in this field to guide the discussion.

What: Third Thursday – Nairobi, Kenya
When: Thursday, June 21 at 5:00-6:00PM
Where: LT 2, University of Nairobi (School of Medicine), KNH Campus

Please let me (dunmwag2@gmail.com / +254 726 469 147) or Daniel (danielmutonga@gmail.com) know if you plan on attending, and also pass the word along to your friends/colleagues. Even if they don't work in NCDs but might be interested, bring them along! 

Best wishes,

Duncan Matheka

 

Comment by Duncan Matheka on June 26, 2012 at 12:19

NCD Activities for Local action by YP-CDN Kenya chapter: Outcome of June 3T

Kenya lacks a comprehensive health insurance policy. As a result, medical care is not readily accessible to a large majority of the citizens, particularly the very poor. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to be perceived as afflictions of the affluent, resulting in rising incidences of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, substance abuse and cancer, among others. Policies and interventions to address the burden of NCDs continue to neglect children and adolescents, who are wrongly perceived to be at less risk. These are populations that could instead be very pivotal towards prevention of the NCDs. The Kenyan chapter of Young Professionals Chronic Disease Network (YP-CDN) has set out to address the problem by engaging the youth through various fora such as school educational talks, free medical camps and health education seminars at social gatherings.

The YP-CDN Kenya chapter has aims to achieve the following goals:

1. Reaching out to all medical schools in the country, to enlighten them on their role in the prevention of NCDs

2. Having better structured long-term NCD education programs

3. Raising more awareness in Kenya on NCDs in children and adolescents

4. Obtaining a pool of ‘NCD Videos’ and preparing a trainer’s manual to assist in the school health talks

5. Emphasizing the importance of public health in the training of health care workers

6. Spearheading the inclusion of NCD education in the current school curricula

7. Spearheading the enactment of national and institutional NCD policies

8. Including non-medical personnel in advocacy activities

9. Establishing collaboration with like-minded organizations

 

Steps Taken

Meanwhile, committees have been formed to:

1. Reach out to all medical schools in the country

2. Obtain ‘NCD Videos’ and prepare a trainer’s manual to assist in delivering the school health talks

3. Ensure the group engages in NCD activities every month eg. High school talk, medical camp

 

Acknowledgements

Members present during our UoN June 3T were: Duncan Matheka, Henry Nyongesa, Nick Ndemange Mutuku, Steve Nigel, Fiona Anyumba, Mativo Mwikali, Wanjiru Mwigereri and Adem Achieng’.

 

Compiled by:

Duncan M. Matheka

University of Nairobi, Kenya

Email: dunmwag2@gmail.com

 

Comment by Duncan Matheka on July 26, 2012 at 16:13

YOUNG AFRICAN SCIENTISTS CONGRESS SCHOLARSHIPS

http://wcpccs2013.co.za/news/young-african-scientists-world-congres...

Comment by Duncan Matheka on September 5, 2012 at 8:54

African experiences of humanitarian cardiovascular medicine: A Kenyan perspective

http://www.thecdt.org/article/view/969

Comment by Duncan Matheka on September 12, 2012 at 2:54

KENYAN DOCTORS ON STRIKE
http://dr-fredrickkairithia.blogspot.com/2012/09/setting-record-str...

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