By Lenah Bosibori
Global Pharmaceutical Company Merck has launched ThyroAfrica in Kenya- a thyroid awareness program aimed at raising awareness of thyroid disorders in Africa.
Speaking during the launch in Nairobi on Thursday, John Ndeti the General Manager Merck said that thyroid disorders are some of the most widespread diseases in the world and as an organization, they look forward to tackling key challenges and exploring innovative solutions to improve patient outcomes.
“Hypothyroidism, affects an estimated 200 million people. Yet it is estimated that only 20 per cent of these are receiving treatment because thyroid disorders are often not diagnosed,” said Ndeti.
He further highlighted that many African countries including Kenya lack baseline Epidemiological data and this is reflected by a lack of policy guidelines on screening and treatment. “Patients are only picked accidentally while seeking treatment for other conditions meaning many are never picked up until late into the disease.”
“Thyroid disorders (especially Hypothyroidism which is the most prevalent) are associated with a milliard of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including Cardiovascular, Obstetrics and Gynaecological disorders,” he added.
The launch that united global medical experts provided a platform for discussions on the future of thyroid care, addressing critical challenges and innovative solutions to improve patient outcomes.
The ThyroAfrica disease awareness campaign, initiated by Merck, addresses the significant burden of thyroid disorders, particularly altered Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and hypothyroidism, across Africa. Built on three foundational pillars—Patient Awareness, Health Care Provider (HCP) Diagnosis Excellence, and Partnership—this initiative aims to improve thyroid health.
Thyroid disorders occur when the thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, produces too much or too little hormone. These imbalances can lead to conditions like hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and goiter. Symptoms often go unrecognized, particularly in low-awareness regions. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for managing the condition and improving quality of life. Once hypothyroidism has been diagnosed, treating it usually requires life-long hormone therapy
Patient Awareness focuses on educating the public about hypothyroidism and its symptoms through targeted social media campaigns and community engagement, empowering individuals to seek timely medical advice.
HCP Diagnosis Excellence enhances the diagnostic capabilities of healthcare professionals by providing educational resources, webinars, and case studies. The free T-Lab mobile application supports HCPs in providing accurate dosages for treatment.
Partnership emphasizes collaboration with local laboratories, healthcare organizations, and policymakers to facilitate TSH testing and improve access to treatment. Through Project Vezeeta, the campaign bridges the gap for unaware patients, directing them to nearby consultations for proper diagnosis and care.
This comprehensive approach transforms the patient journey from being unaware of their condition to receiving effective treatment. Launched in response to the growing prevalence of thyroid disorders affecting approximately 12 million people in Africa, the ThyroAfrica campaign seeks to enhance the quality of life for those living with these conditions.
The launch comes just weeks ahead of World Thyroid Day, observed annually on May 25. With thyroid disease awareness still relatively low across Africa, ThyroAfrica seeks to bridge the gap through a collaborative network focused on education and information sharing.
According to a study done in KNH by Dr. Beryl O. Muyodi, Prof. E. Amayo, Prof Joshi and Dr. Kagima (published in the Journal of Kenya Association of Physicians 2022), the prevalence of Thyroid disorders among Heart failure patients was 36.8 per cent highlighted Joshua Mugweru- Merck Business Unit head sub-Sahara Africa at DP World: We lack baseline data on both prevalence and population awareness. Thyro Africa is aimed at raising awareness and reducing the overall cost of treatment by subsidizing the TSH test.
Consultant Physician, Endocrinologist, and Chair of the Kenya Diabetes Study Group (KDSG), Dr. Rosslyn Ngugi — who also served as the keynote speaker — emphasized that ThyroAfrica marks a pivotal step toward uniting efforts to enhance healthcare systems and foster long-term progress in thyroid care across the continent.
“ThyroAfrica is more than just an awareness initiative — it’s a call to action,” said Dr. Ngugi. “By coming together as health professionals, policymakers, and communities, we can build a future where thyroid disorders are no longer overlooked, and every patient gets timely, accurate care.”
Millions of people suffer from thyroid disorders. Yet this disease remains widely underdiagnosed.
With the backing of Merck and the commitment of regional health leaders, ThyroAfrica is poised to make thyroid health a public health priority across the continent. The initiative underscores the need for continued investment in endocrine health, and sets the foundation for long-term partnerships that will benefit millions.
This is just the beginning,” Dr. Ngugi added. “Our goal is to ensure that thyroid health becomes an integral part of Africa’s broader non-communicable disease agenda — and that no one is left behind.