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. 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, Merck said that Thyroid disorders are some of the most widespread diseases in the world, affecting an estimated 200 million people and yet only 20 percent are receiving treatment because the thyroid disorders are often not diagnosed. Ndeti said 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 lack of policy guidelines on screening and treatment. Patients, he added, are only picked accidentally while seeking treatment for other conditions meaning many are never picked up until late into the disease. Consultant Physician, Endocrinologist, and Chair of the Kenya Diabetes Study Group (KDSG), Dr.
