Global pharmaceutical giant Merck has officially launched ThyroAfrica, a continent-wide thyroid awareness initiative, in Kenya today.
The campaign aims to spotlight thyroid disorders, especially hypothyroidism, which affects millions across Africa but remains significantly underdiagnosed.
The Nairobi launch brought together leading global and regional medical experts, offering a platform for discussing the future of thyroid care on the continent. The initiative is timely, arriving just weeks before World Thyroid Day, observed globally on May 25.
Built on three foundational pillars—Patient Awareness, Healthcare Provider (HCP) Diagnosis Excellence, and Partnership ThyroAfrica seeks to transform how thyroid disorders are understood and managed in Africa.
Patient Awareness efforts include targeted social media campaigns and community outreach to educate the public on symptoms of hypothyroidism, encouraging early diagnosis.
HCP Diagnosis Excellence focuses on equipping healthcare professionals with tools like webinars, case studies, and the free T-Lab mobile app, which aids in accurate treatment dosage.
The Partnership pillar aims to collaborate with local labs, organizations, and policymakers to expand TSH testing and access to care.
“Thyroid disorders are among the most prevalent diseases globally,” said John Ndeti, General Manager of Merck. “Despite an estimated 200 million people living with hypothyroidism, only about 20% receive treatment. In Africa, the gap is even wider due to lack of awareness and diagnostic infrastructure.”
Ndeti noted that thyroid disorders often go unnoticed until patients seek care for related non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular or gynecological issues.
A 2022 study conducted at Kenyatta National Hospital found thyroid disorders in 36.8% of heart failure patients, underscoring the urgent need for improved diagnosis.
Joshua Mugweru, Merck’s Sub-Saharan Business Unit Head at DP World, emphasized the role of ThyroAfrica in tackling these issues: “We are working to fill the data gap and lower treatment costs by subsidizing TSH testing.”
Keynote speaker Dr. Rosslyn Ngugi, Consultant Endocrinologist and Chair of the Kenya Diabetes Study Group, hailed the initiative as a vital step forward.
“ThyroAfrica is more than just an awareness campaign — it’s a movement to integrate thyroid care into Africa’s broader non-communicable disease strategy,” she said.
Dr. Ngugi added that the campaign’s collaborative approach will help foster long-term solutions: “Our vision is clear no patient should suffer in silence or be left behind due to a lack of diagnosis or treatment.”
With the backing of Merck and the support of Africa’s medical community, ThyroAfrica is poised to become a cornerstone in the continent’s public health landscape, aiming to improve quality of life and drive policy change for thyroid health.
