Nairobi: Global Pharmaceutical Company Merck has launched ThyroAfrica in Kenya, a thyroid awareness program aimed at raising awareness of thyroid disorders in Africa. Thyroid disorders occur when the thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, produces too much or too little hormone. These imbalances can lead to conditions like hypothyroidism and goiter, with symptoms often going unrecognized, particularly in low-awareness regions. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for managing the condition and improving quality of life, and once hypothyroidism has been diagnosed, treating it usually requires life-long hormone therapy.
According to Kenya News Agency, the ThyroAfrica disease awareness campaign has three foundational pillars: Patient Awareness, Health Care Provider (HCP) Diagnosis Excellence, and Partnership. The initiative aims to improve thyroid health. Patient Awareness focuses on educating the public about hypothyroidism and its symptoms through targeted social media campaigns and community engagement. It aims at empowering individuals to seek timely medical advice.
HCP Diagnosis Excellence enhances the diagnostic capabilities of healthcare professionals by providing educational resources, webinars, and case studies. The free T-Lab mobile application supports HCPs in providing accurate dosages for treatment. Partnership emphasizes collaboration with local laboratories, healthcare organizations, and policymakers to facilitate TSH testing and improve access to treatment.
Through Project Vezeeta, a digital platform and app that facilitates online doctor and hospital bookings in Kenya, the campaign bridges the gap for unaware patients, directing them to nearby consultations for proper diagnosis and care. John Ndeti, General Manager of Merck, stated that thyroid disorders are some of the most widespread diseases in the world, affecting an estimated 200 million people, yet only 20 percent are receiving treatment because the thyroid disorders are often not diagnosed.
Ndeti highlighted that thyroid disorders are associated with a myriad of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including Cardiovascular, Obstetrics, and Gynaecological disorders, with many African countries, including Kenya lacking baseline epidemiological data due to a lack of policy guidelines on screening and treatment. Patients, he added, are often only picked up accidentally while seeking treatment for other conditions, meaning many are never diagnosed until late in the disease.
Consultant Physician, Endocrinologist, and Chair of the Kenya Diabetes Study Group (KDSG), Dr. Rosslyn Ngugi, emphasized that ThyroAfrica marks a pivotal step toward uniting efforts to enhance healthcare systems and foster long-term progress in thyroid care across the continent. 'ThyroAfrica is more than just an awareness initiative; it's a call to action. By coming together as health professionals, policymakers, and communities, we can build a future where thyroid disorders are no longer overlooked, and every patient gets timely, accurate care,' said Dr. Ngugi.
Dr. Ngugi added, 'Millions of people suffer from thyroid disorders. Yet this disease remains widely underdiagnosed, and with the backing of Merck and the commitment of regional health leaders, ThyroAfrica is poised to make thyroid health a public health priority across the continent.' The initiative, she said, underscores the need for continued investment in endocrine health and sets the foundation for long-term partnerships that will benefit millions.
Merck Business Unit head sub-Sahara Africa at DP World, Joshua Mugweru, cited a study done in KNH by expert doctors in 2022 that revealed the prevalence of thyroid disorders among heart failure patients was at 36.8 percent. 'We lack baseline data on both prevalence and population awareness. ThyroAfrica is aimed at raising awareness and reducing the overall cost of treatment by subsidizing the TSH test,' Mugweru said.
Launched in response to the growing prevalence of thyroid disorders affecting approximately 12 million people in Africa, the ThyroAfrica campaign seeks to enhance the quality of life for those living with these conditions. The launch comes a month ahead of World Thyroid Day, observed annually on May 25.