NEGLECTED SURGICAL DISEASES ERADICATION OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED IN MERU COUNTY

On February 14th 2019, Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi and Dr. Jaymie Henry joined Cabinet Secretary for Health, Dr. Sicily Kariuki for the launch of the Pilot Program that will see the elimination of Neglected Surgical Diseases (NSDs) in Meru, Kenya. This includes cleft lip and palate, cataracts, club foot, fistula, hernias and neglected trauma.

The initiative is supported by the Cameron-Henry Center for Neglected Surgical Diseases (CHC) in partnership with the Henry Family Advised Fund, the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA), Mount Kenya University, Smile Train, Fistula Foundation, Fred Hollows Foundation, CURE International Hospital Kenya, Clubfoot Care for Kenya, and the Surgical Society of Kenya.

“People with neglected surgical conditions live with stigma and are largely left out of nation building. There has been a lack of public awareness and inadequate funding for corrective surgery. But as a government, we are now committed to ending these conditions for equity and development,” said Dr. Sicily Kariuki, adding that the government plans to reach the 7,000 Kenyans with cleft lip and palate through the NSDs Pilot Program.

The Governor explained that the County Health Volunteers (CHVs), some who have been trained from the Meru Youth Service will help in the identification of the people affected by these diseases and once identified they will be treated for free through the Pilot Program partners.

After the launch, CHVs conducted a door-to-door mapping and registration of patients with NSDs through the Finders Keepers app, created by the Henry Family Advised Fund. The app provides a patient’s biodata and location. The CHV takes the patient’s photo, a close-up picture of the condition, the location and other details before uploading it. The data is reviewed by a doctor, who advises on care and treatment. This is the first time the app is being used in the world.

Meru level 5 has been certified to offer post graduate training by COSECSA for surgical doctors so that once the donors are through with the project, they will ensure sustainability of the program. The Meru Governor has equipped 8 hospitals with theatres to facilitate the corrective surgery of people with NSDs.