NNHF Community Award 2019: A unifying leader
The words that come up time and again when people talk about Dr Shikuku are ‘leadership, dedication and empowerment’. These qualities played a key role in the unification of the Kenya Haemophilia Association (KHA), giving the haemophilia community a stronger voice and the power to advocate for better care across the country.
Working together to improve lives
In 2012, Dr Shikuku undertook a NNHF fellowship in South Africa, building on all aspects of his knowledge, from diagnosis to long-term care. Upon his return to Kenya, he immediately initiated a complete reclassification of people with haemophilia diagnosed through his centre, resulting in better care and more accurate diagnosis. Dr Shikuku went on to play a fundamental role in improving the lives of people with haemophilia through three NNHF projects, with the latest project, NNHF Kenya 4, currently in execution. These have included a number of strategically planned activities, delivered together with KHA, such as:
- Professor Mahlangu has led 10 physician training sessions on haemophilia in 8 different African countries. A total of 12 healthcare professionals are now equipped to provide better care because of his efforts.
- Opening a comprehensive care clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi
- Engaging authorities, leading to hospital space and five clinics being allocated to haemophilia care
With a constitution and strategic plan in place, KHA will continue working together to advocate for better care and ensure their leadership structure facilitates activities that are cohesive across the different chapters of KHA.
A team effort
Thank you, thank you, thank you for selecting me as Community Award winner for 2019” expressed Dr Shikuku, upon receiving the award. “Everything that has been done in Kenya has been a team effort, it is not something I would have been able to do alone. We will continue to work with NNHF as there is so much more we can do to help people with haemophilia here in Kenya,
Dr Shikuku is now using his expertise to advise other patient organisations in Africa, based on his experience in Kenya.
