29/7/2022
by the Netherlands and they provide manpower, train the registrars and donate requisite equipment,” added Ms. Andal. The ENT department also works hand in hand with the occupational therapy department to help autistic individuals with speech therapy. Ms. Andal has had many success stories at the ENT clinic, where she has had a hand in saving lives and avoiding a potential disaster. Other than that, she hopes that one day, NHIF will be able to cater to outpatient services for ENT patients that lack sufficient funds to pay for the various procedures done. Overall, the ENT department at KNH has had more compliments from our patients than complaints. It is still putting in more effort to provide the best services to our patients within the East Africa region. Her final word to the general public
is that one should at least visit an ENT doctor once a year for check-ups since most ENT problems initially
produce symptoms that could easily be confused with other minor health issues.
PHOTO | ELIJAH NGANGA Richard Nganga (L), Andiologist at the Bera Andiologist with Jackline Andal (R)
KNH marks World Hepatitis Day 2022 By Yvonne Gichuru Hepatitis Day, one of the World Health Organization’s seven officially mandated global public health days is observed every year on 28th July to raise awareness and promote global action on viral hepatitis. This year’s theme; ‘Bringing hepatitis care closer to you’ , aimed to raise awareness about the need to simplify and bring hepatitis care to primary health facilities, communitybased venues and locations beyond hospital sites, so that care is closer to communities and people wherever they are. ‘I can’t wait’ was the new campaign theme to launch World Hepatitis Day 2022. It highlighted the need to accelerate the fight against viral hepatitis and the importance of testing and treatment for people who need it. The campaign also called for immediate action and the end of stigma and discrimination. In this regard, KNH in conjunction with the Ministry of Health (MOH), National Aids and STIs Control Programme (NASCOP), MSF – Doctors without Borders, President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) – Centers for Health and Education Programmes (C-HEP);
University of Maryland, Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and MegaLife Sciences Kenya came together and set up an event to honor and celebrate the day. The day kicked off with a health walk from the Ministry of Health – Afya house to the KNH Administration Block led by a marching band from the National Police Service together with patient representatives and beneficiaries from the Medicationassisted treatment (MAT) programme and other health care workers to commemorate the day and raise awareness on Hepatitis. The event saw various invited guests such as representatives from the partners aforementioned in attendance who all participated in the implementation of Hepatitis screening, diagnosis, management and vaccination activities that took place. Dr. Rose Nyabanda – Director, Diagnostic and Health Information Services gave the welcoming remarks on behalf KNH CEO, Dr. Evanson Kamuri, EBS during the ceremony. “As KNH our main objective is to always ensure better access to treatment and care for all our
ISSUE 16 | Kenyatta National Hospital Newsline
patients including those with Hepatitis no matter what type they may have. KNH as a referral center, offers specialized diagnostic services, consultation, and treatment for Hepatitis,” she while appreciating all the partners for making the event possible. Dr. Angela Thiong’o – MSF - Doctors Without Borders representative Kiambu project; offering medically
PHOTO | ELIJAH NG’ANG’A Dr. Juliana Mwikali Muiva - Head of Department, Pediatrics & World Hepatitis Day 2022 commitee chair addressing the audience during the ceremony.
13
