By Morara Kebaso
Hundreds of residents, mainly in dry areas, could be bearing the brunt of medical neglect silently as an array of neglected tropical diseases continue to ravage them.
And due to this, the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), a research organisation, has launched a charity run themed ‘Run for Neglected Patients’ to mark its 20th anniversary.
Renowned Kenyan marathoner, Tegla Loroupe was also introduced as the official race ambassador for the event scheduled for November 18, 2023.
While making the announcement, DNDi Eastern Africa Director, Prof. Samuel Kariuki said the charity run aims to raise awareness about neglected diseases, mobilize support for neglected patients, and encourage institutional and community efforts to support these patients.
“Today marks a significant milestone for DNDi, and as we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we are happy to announce that we have developed 12 treatments over the last two decades for six deadly diseases,” said Prof. Kariuki indicating that slowly the way against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) is being won.
However, he also acknowledged that there still exist gaps that require new tools for many of these neglected diseases.
‘Therefore, this charity run aims to raise awareness for the work we are doing and ensure that key stakeholders and members of the public understand the kind of work that still needs to be done for neglected patients and communities,” Kariuki added.
Diseases such as leishmaniasis, dengue fever, Bilharzia and sleeping sickness, are classified as neglected by the World Health Organization because they receive little attention from the global health agenda.
Over 15 of the 20 WHO-listed neglected diseases affect over 25 million Kenyans.
DNDi’s charity run is scheduled for November 18, 2023, in Kacheliba, West Pokot, where visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) and other neglected diseases are common. This disease is the second most fatal parasitic killer after Malaria. DNDi has been working in this region for the past 12 years to provide treatments for this deadly disease.
Ambassador Tegla Loroupe, a retired athlete, peace ambassador, and a native of West Pokot, has been appointed as the official race ambassador. She is the first Kenyan to set a World Marathon Best and the first African woman to win the New York City Marathon in 1994.
Today, through her Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation, the three-time world half marathon champion focuses on promoting peace among warring pastoralists through sports, education, and healthcare initiatives.
“Today marks a significant milestone, one that represents a lifetime of dedication for most of us. I want to extend my warm congratulations and heartfelt gratitude to DNDi for their unwavering support to neglected patients in West Pokot and beyond over the past twenty years. Through this charity run and our newly-formed partnership, I hope that we can eliminate the label “neglected patients” and garner more attention and support towards neglected diseases,’ said Loroupe.
The charity run will be preceded by a free medical camp on November 15, where residents will get screened for mycetoma and leishmaniasis, two of the most neglected diseases. They will also receive free consultations for common ailments and drugs to treat them.
“For me and many other residents of West Pokot, this race and the medical camp are incredibly important. They not only highlight the unique challenges we face – challenges that are often unfamiliar to other parts of Kenya – but also provide an opportunity to showcase our resilience,” she added.
Loroupe called on more stakeholders to come on board and support the fight against neglected diseases.
“By participating in the race and raising awareness, we can make a meaningful change in the lives of those affected by these diseases. Together, we can bring hope to neglected communities,” she added.
The charity run is scheduled to begin on Saturday at 6:30 a.m. along the St. Comboni Kacheliba girls’ primary school road. It will have two stages, each catering to different age groups and physical abilities. The first stage is a 10 km run open to Elite athletes and the community. The second stage is a 5 km run, open for school children and other fun runners.
