Rotary Kenya Joins Forces with DNDi to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases
By Eric Ombok and Caroline Njiru
Rotary Kenya, has officially partnered with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) in a promising collaboration aimed at addressing the pressing health needs of neglected patients and communities. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), inked last month, sets the stage for a robust five-year agreement between Rotary Kenya and DNDi, marking a significant step towards combating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) prevalent in vulnerable communities.
The partnership’s core objective is to expedite the development and adoption of new medicines tailored to combat NTDs, aiming to ensure timely access to life-saving drugs for affected individuals. These neglected diseases affect approximately 1.6 billion people annually, primarily in tropical regions, impacting some of the world’s most impoverished and marginalized populations.
Leonard Ithau, Governor of Rotary District 9212, emphasized the shared vision between Rotary and DNDi in addressing disease prevention, maternal and child health, stating, “It is important that we explore partnerships to tackle the complex issues that communities face, create positive impact in the communities of operations and serve their needs.”
The comprehensive collaboration will involve various initiatives such as raising public awareness about neglected diseases, educating communities to prevent the spread of these life-threatening illnesses, and improving access to affordable treatments in endemic areas. Additionally, the partnership will foster deeper engagement between local communities and NTDs research experts, bolstering clinical capacities and addressing infrastructure needs where necessary.
Professor Sam Kariuki, Director of DNDi Eastern Africa, expressed optimism about the collaboration during the MoU signing, saying, “The partnership with Rotary will enable us to reach more neglected patients and collaborate more on key strategic areas of synergy.”
This alliance between Rotary Kenya and DNDi aims to make a significant impact in controlling NTDs by leveraging their combined resources and expertise to accelerate the development of new medicines, ensuring their accessibility to those in dire need.
About Rotary District 9212
Rotary District 9212 https://www.rotary9212.org/, encompassing Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Eritrea, is part of the global non-profit service organization, Rotary International, dedicated to improving lives through various areas of focus, including disease prevention and treatment, among others.
About DNDi
The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) http://www.dndi.org is a not-for-profit medical research organization focused on discovering, developing, and delivering safe, effective, and affordable treatments for neglected diseases. Since its inception in 2003, DNDi has collaborated globally to deliver twelve new treatments, saving millions of lives.
