The COVID-19 pandemic and the growing burden of
non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have compelled healthcare stakeholders to
explore new ways of improving health systems, stimulating the advancement of
healthcare ecosystems that focus on securing continuum of care and improving
treatment outcomes whilst also enhancing the patient experience.
The Kamba Ya Shanga initiative is a pharmacist-led disease
management and referral programme aimed at improving patient outcomes for
chronic conditions, connecting all key healthcare players along the patient’s
disease management journey.
Through the programme patients will be uniquely identified
by the pharmacist, have their chronic disease treatment and medication
monitored, receive support that ensures optimal treatment and correct use of
devices; and be seamlessly referred by the Pharmacist to their General
Practitioner should further consultation be required.
Dr. Daniella Munene, CEO of Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya
(PSK) said: “Pharmacists are very uniquely positioned to expand reach of
healthcare services by participating more in the management of chronic
diseases. From detection of poorly managed or undiagnosed disease to providing
medication therapy management and counselling, pharmacists can have a positive impact
on therapeutic outcomes in patients on long-term medication for both
communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Barbara Nel, AstraZeneca Country President for African
Cluster (South Africa, Sub Sahara and French Speaking Africa) said: “At
AstraZeneca we believe that patient experiences and outcomes are our shared
responsibility, and that innovation doesn’t happen in isolation.
Our Pharmacists play a critical role in the continuance of
care for patients, especially in the current landscape. We are delighted to be
partnering with PSK in the launch of Kamba Ya Shanga, which is a Swahili term
that essentially means ‘a beautiful string of beads’.
The string of beads represents the link between the patient,
the pharmacist, and the doctor, transforming the ecosystem for patients, whilst
enabling pharmacies to direct patients to a relevant healthcare professional
and track their progress and response to medication.”
“By joining forces with PSK we look forward to making an
even greater positive impact for patients and healthcare practitioners,
achieving results that go beyond what any individual stakeholder can achieve.
This is the value of partnerships, with the patient at the centre.”