Relief for women as Nairobi's new health partnership tackles neglected diseases
By Barack Oduor |
Residents of Nairobi are set to benefit from a new partnership between the Nairobi City County Government and global organisations focussing on health.
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On Monday, Decker Medical Trust and other organisations focused on neglected women’s diseases (NWD) partnered with Mbagathi District Hospital as part of an ongoing effort to raise public awareness of diseases affecting women yet overlooked.
Brian Decker, the chairman of the Board of Directors of Decker Medical Trust, concurred, saying, "Neglected Women’s Diseases (NWD) include a wide range of underfunded and under-researched health conditions, such as cervical cancer, reproductive health issues, and maternal mortality, which disproportionately affect women in low-income communities."
On the partnership with Mbagathi Hospital, he expressed confidence that residents of Nairobi will benefit immensely through it, noting that it has come at a timely moment.
"I believe the new partnership we have made with Mbagathi Hospital will be beneficial to the residents of Nairobi, especially women who yearn for better healthcare," said Decker.
He further explained that their partnership is also driven by the fact that, according to the World Health Organisation, over 800 million women worldwide do not have access to essential healthcare services, contributing to millions of preventable deaths annually.
Nairobi residents queue for health services at Mbagathi Hospital on Monday, September 23, 2024. (Photo: Barack Oduor)
"Through this medical partnership that will come with camps, Decker Medical Trust seeks to provide free health screenings, medical check-ups, and counselling sessions to underserved women," said Decker.
Chief Executive Officer of Mbagathi Hospital, Alex Irungu, added that the new partnership will offer them the opportunity to educate the public about the importance of early detection and treatment of neglected diseases in women.
"We aim to mobilise policymakers, healthcare providers, and community stakeholders to address these pressing women’s health concerns," explained Irungu.
Irungu noted in his remarks that neglected women’s diseases affect millions of women globally yet remain significantly underfunded. "Despite progress in healthcare, there remains a vast gap in services for women's health, particularly in areas such as reproductive health and maternal care."
In Kenya and beyond, neglected women's diseases account for a substantial number of preventable deaths due to lack of access to proper medical services.
Irungu also noted that diseases affecting women contribute to one-third of all preventable deaths among women in low-income countries, making the partnership viable and timely.
Mary Kyale, Onesight Country Manager, said their organisation that focuses on diseases affecting eyesight will not also be part of the pact, in a move that seeks to end eyesight diseases among the residents.
Other notable people who attended the event included Peter Macon, renowned American actor and Global Advocate for Women’s Health, Wambui Karanja.
Chief Executive Officer at Mbagathi Hospital Alex Irungu and Decker Medical Trust Chairman Brian Decker at the medical camp at Mbagathi on Monday, September 23, 2024. (Photo: Barack Oduor)Reader comments
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