NCD Kenya University students

NCDs (cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes) make the largest contribution to mortality both globally and in the majority of low- and middle- income countries. By the dawn of the third millennium, non communicable diseases are sweeping the entire globe, with an increasing trend in developing countries where, the transition imposes more constraints to deal with... the double burden of infective and non-infective diseases in a poor environment characterised by ill-health systems. By 2020, it is predicted that these diseases will be causing seven out of every 10 deaths in developing countries. Many of the non communicable diseases can be prevented by tackling associated risk factors.NCDs account for over 60% of all global deaths. Considering the consequential morbidity and mortality, an action group to deal with the following issues is highly crucial.
1. Public education on NCDs, including prevention and management. (Including websites, SMS alerts, journals, victim/case reports, magazines, talks, schools, churches, media, and other social gatherings, among others).
2. Screening of NCDs in developing countries (Free medical camps on NCDs allover Kenya)
3. Conferences and forums to discuss and share globally agreed approaches to NCD treatment and care, delivering global NCD interventions and ensuring Tobacco Control.
4. Raising resources to carry out these various activities.
5. Partnering with other NCD action groups. Such as NCD Alliance (the International Diabetes Federation, World Heart Federation, the Union for International Cancer Control and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union)
6. African Journal of NCDs

Prominent causes for heart disease, diabetes, cancer and pulmonary diseases can be prevented but urgent (preventive) actions are needed and efficient strategies should deal seriously with risk factors like smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity and western diet. To implement these, we have a number of phases. These include registration of the organization. We would then embark on public education. Our immediate plans are a website, SMS alerts, and preparing for the Non Communicable diseases day in conjunction with IFMSA.
Share any material that we can have in the website.

If you would like to assist in NCDK. Please send your ideas to me. I would like a committee of around 10 LIKE MINDED people to assist in the implementation of these crucial issues.

'The email for the NCD Kenya University Students is: ncdkenya@gmail.com. You will be replied within 48 hours'.

Duncan Matheka 2011

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Comment by Duncan Matheka on September 24, 2011 at 4:47: NCD Kenya in conjunction with IFMSA and other corporates organized a successful screening at the university of Nairobi - KNH Campus. Below is a snapshot of the report:

Screening on the NCDs day
The screening on the IFMSA day for NCDs was an unprecedented success. Everything went as expected. It started at 9.00am and ended at about 3:30 pm. Volunteers endured long queues of patients and served with a smile. Volunteers were mainly from the School of Medicine across all levels although students from the School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy and KMTC also participated. There were also volunteers from Kenya Diabetes Association, ACON industries (Kenya) and Lady Hope Wellness institute. Patients were screened for Hypertension and Diabetes after which they interacted with the educators on the modifiable risk factors for Non communicable disease using the W.H.O. 4X4 Matrix (cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and chronic respiratory diseases) and their risk factors (smoking, lack of physical exercise, unhealthy diet and alcohol.) Patients also had their anthropometric parameters taken (Height, Weight, Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference.)
All the female patients were also advised by a group of specialists from the Lady Hope Wellness Institute on breast and cervical cancer on the importance of early detection, breast exam and importance of pap smears.

The screening advisory team was joined by Dr. Kirtida Acharya (a re-known diabetologist and lecturer at the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nairobi), Ms Sushma Joshi (an Australian-trained Exercise Physiologist and Nutritionist) and Mr. Patrick Mbuvi (a certified diabetic educator from ACON Industries).

Several university staff members benefited from this initiative including Mr. Christopher Waema, the assistant Dean of Students, School of Medicine. By the time the camp closed at 3:30 pm, about eight hundred and three patients (803) had participated and benefited from the free camp. The screening exercise was covered by K24 and the People’s Daily.

Lunch-hour on-campus Talk

There was a successful lunch hour talk on campus at Lecture Theatre 3, University of Nairobi – KNH Campus from 1pm to 2pm on the same day. Posters on healthy life-styles and flyers by sponsors were distributed during the talk. It was attended by 190 medical students. The keynote addresses were made by Dr. Kirtida Acharya, Chairperson Diabetes Kenya Association and Dr. Waihenya, Ag. Head of Division of NCDs, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation. Duncan Matheka introduced a charitable organization by the name NCD Kenya. Dr. Ahmed Kalebi, MD Lancet Laboratories pledged to support students involved in research. The vote of thanks was made by Dr. Tom Olewe from the School of Public Health, University of Nairobi.

Profile of NCD Kenya

On 19th September 2011 NCD day, NCD Kenya, a non-political charitable organization, was launched to ensure continuity of activities regarding non communicable diseases among medical students and young professionals in Kenya. According to the lunch hour talk, NCD Kenya would be involved with NCD training, research, awareness and advocacy. It has been affiliated to NCD Action Network and mandated with coordinating NCD activities in East Africa http://ncdaction.org/group/east-africa-ncd-action-network?xg

Comment by Seema Shah on September 30, 2011 at 8:16: Amazing job! What are your thoughts on sharing the procedures for the screening day and challenges faced, so that others could potentially replicate?