World Lupus Day is commemorated each year on the 10th of May. This year we joined the world in celebrating our Lupus warriors. The theme for the event was to raise awareness for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)/Lupus. The Arthrheuma Society of Kenya marked this day in collaboration with the Aga Khan University Hospital- Nairobi, IPCA laboratories and Lupus Foundation Africa. Kenyatta National Hospital and the University of Nairobi were also well represented by their staff and medical students.

It was an interactive session where our Lupus warriors shared their experiences and helped to shine light on what living with Lupus looks like from their perspective. The rheumatologists, nurses and other professionals gave educational talks that helped address some of the questions and challenges faced by patients living with Lupus.

The call to action from our warriors, healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies addressed the following:

• Need for more awareness to be raised among the public and healthcare providers in Kenya by both warriors and healthcare providers.

• Training of more rheumatologists to cover the current deficit.

• Patient support groups to unite and have a unified approach in the fight against the disease

• Government support in providing benefit packages for diagnosis and treatment of this chronic condition.

• Local research activities to be done to address gaps in knowledge about our epidemiology, risk factors, characteristics, and response to treatment of SLE in Kenya

The event ended with a tree-planting session at the hospital grounds.

Naomi Mumo

Arthrheuma Society of Kenya

​