FIND Congratulates Kenya on Eliminating Sleeping Sickness as a Public Health Threat
FIND, the global alliance for diagnostics, has applauded Kenya’s Ministry of Health (MoH) following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) announcement that Kenya has successfully eliminated human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), commonly known as sleeping sickness, as a public health problem.
“This remarkable milestone demonstrates what can be achieved through committed partnerships and dedicated investment,” said Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, CEO and Chief Transformation Officer of FIND. “We are proud to have played a key role in expanding access to diagnosis, a vital step towards eradicating this deadly disease.”
Since 2020, FIND has collaborated closely with Kenya’s MoH to bolster the country’s diagnostic and surveillance capacities in HAT-endemic regions. Historically, diagnosis and monitoring have posed challenges due to the remoteness of affected communities.
“HAT disproportionately affects vulnerable rural populations reliant on agriculture, fishing, and hunting,” explained Prof Joseph Ndungu, Head of FIND’s Kenya office. “Eliminating this disease is a tremendous victory and a testament to the strength of Kenya’s health system and its partners.”
Through FIND’s support, all health facilities in affected areas were mapped and upgraded with essential diagnostic equipment. Health workers, including clinicians and laboratory personnel, received comprehensive retraining on HAT diagnosis and treatment. Awareness campaigns targeted communities, healthcare providers, and policymakers to improve recognition and reporting of cases.
The organisation also enhanced the national surveillance system, facilitating efficient data collection and reporting to the MoH. FIND worked closely with Kenyan authorities in preparing and submitting the dossier that led to WHO’s recognition of elimination.
Dr Ayoade Alakija, Chair of the FIND Board, highlighted the broader significance: “As financing for health in low- and middle-income countries becomes more constrained, eliminating neglected tropical diseases like HAT exemplifies the power of coordinated prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatment.”
Kenya is the tenth country to achieve the elimination of HAT as a public health problem. The disease is caused by parasites transmitted by tsetse flies and exists in two forms: gambiense and rhodesiense. The rhodesiense form prevalent in eastern and southern Africa, including Kenya, progresses rapidly and is fatal without treatment.
