1. Chronic Diseases
The prevalence of diabetes in Kenya is approximately 10% in the adult population compared with 6% having HIV/Aids .Despite these large numbers, there have been very little governmental and non-governmental support on diabetes self management skills. While screening for diabetes and hypertension in Kenya in August, 2006 and November, 2008; I found that the majority of patients with diabetes were often unaware of their conditions and were thus diagnosed in later stages when it is too late and life threatening complications such as kidney failure, heart attacks and blindness had set in.
Since these have long been considered lifestyle diseases associated with the rich, medical services in Kenya to manage them are too expensive and remain out of reach for the poor. Drugs to manage diabetes or hypertension are expensive making it difficult for the poor in the villages to manage their health conditions. While some of these conditions can be managed by life style changes and education, there are no programs in the communities structured to educating the public about these conditions. UHAI’s goal is to educate the people so that they can best manage their conditions with little assistance. The above conditions are referred to as silent killers; they kill millions of people every year. We all can identify with someone who has had one of these conditions, be it a parent, sibling, relative or our neighbor. The good news is, all these conditions can be prevented, with lifestyle behavior changes, diabetes hypertension and other chronic diseases can be prevented and/or managed. .
2. Women’s Health
In the African community, the woman is referred to as the back bone of the family and therefore her overall health is very important. Apparently women are known for taking care of everyone else first while neglecting themselves. According to the UN World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 2635 Kenyan women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year, with 2,111 dying from the disease making it the most prevalent cancer among women in the country.
About 38.8 percent of women in the general population are estimated to harbor cervical human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which infection is the leading cause of cervical cancer. We can prevent this by encouraging women to have annual medical check ups by a doctor. Some of the screening and health education that UHAI for Health Inc will conduct to promote women’s health includes:
- Cervical cancer screening: Depending on the locations, VIA/VILLI or pap smear exams will be used to check for any cervical abnormalities.
- Breast Cancer Screening through Clinical breast exams.
- Health education covering the life span of the women: hormones, pregnancy, family planning, preconception care, diet and exercise, mental health.
3. Helping Babies Breathe (HBB)
Birth asphyxia in rural Kenya remains a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, resulting in approximately 25% of all newborn deaths that occur in the first 28 days postnatal. Basic neonatal resuscitation techniques can help up to 99% of these babies begin to breathe after birth. Helping Babies Breathe is a skills-based neonatal resuscitation course developed by the American Association of Pediatrics using evidence-based science based on the ILCOR guidelines.