-------------

The East African Region has made great strides in combatting neglected diseases, demonstrating Africa’s capacity to find solutions to its own problems.

Prof. Samuel Kariuki remarked following his appointment as the new Eastern Africa Director by Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi).

In a statement on Wednesday, he said, ‘I am honoured to join DNDi Eastern Africa to help drive DNDi’s mission of bringing the best science for the most neglected.’

Kariuki, a former Acting Director General at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), brings more than two decades of experience in medical research and development in fields including antimicrobial resistance, foodborne infections, and neglected tropical diseases.

He succeeds Dr Monique Wasunna, who steps down after 20 years of successfully heading DNDi Eastern Africa. Wasunna will now serve as a DNDi Africa Ambassador, further enunciating DNDi’s work concerning Africa’s health priorities, as well as playing a vital role in raising awareness of neglected diseases. 

‘I have been dedicated to the mission of DNDi since its inception, tirelessly working towards discovering improved treatments for neglected diseases like leishmaniosis,’ said Wasunna.

‘Witnessing the challenges faced by patients and the unwavering commitment of healthcare professionals has deeply impacted me.

“It is with great confidence that I pass the torch to Prof. Kariuki as I know he will build upon existing structures and strategies so that we can continue finding better treatments for people affected by NTDs in the region,” she said 

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that is found in parts of the tropics, subtropics, and southern Europe, and is classified as a neglected tropical disease (NTD).

It is caused by infection with Leishmania parasites, which are spread by the bite of sand flies.  

According to WHO the disease is characterized by irregular bouts of fever, weight loss, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and anaemia, most cases occur in Brazil, India and East Africa, and an estimated 50 000 to 90 000 new cases occur worldwide annually,

DNDi has worked with many partners in East Africa and across the globe, to find and develop new drugs for NTDs, conducting clinical trials in endemic countries and forming partnerships with Ministries of Health, communities, and research institutions.

The World Health Organization notes that 47 African countries have already eliminated at least one NTD as a public health problem.

Wasunna in February said last year, they demonstrated that a new, shorter, better treatment is effective against visceral leishmaniasis.

She said that new treatments for visceral leishmaniosis are in the pipeline, including an all-oral drug that will dispense with the need for hospitalisation.

She also said that by using arsenic, which killed 5% of sleeping sickness patients 20 years ago, they have been able to show that a single-dose oral treatment is effective in treating sleeping sickness.

Wasunna says with advancements, and more in the pipeline, as well as partners joining the fight against neglected diseases, the impact of their collective efforts has started to become visible.

So far, East Africa has played a pivotal role in DNDi’s successful delivery of twelve new treatments for neglected diseases that have saved millions of lives.