- Loroupe is the first Kenyan to set a World Marathon Best and the first African woman to win the New York City Marathon in 1994.
- Over 15 of the 20 WHO-listed neglected diseases affect over 25 million Kenyans.
Image: HANDOUT
Retired athlete Tegla Loroupe has been appointed the official ambassador for neglected patients' race.
This is after the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) launched a charity-run-themed 'Run for Neglected Patients' to mark its 20th anniversary.
The charity run aims to raise awareness about neglected diseases, mobilise support for neglected patients and encourage institutional and community efforts to support patients.
Loroupe is the first Kenyan to set a World Marathon Best and the first African woman to win the New York City Marathon in 1994.
Through her Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation, the three-time world half marathon champion focuses on promoting peace among warring pastoralists through sports, education and healthcare initiatives.
"Today marks a significant milestone, one that represents a lifetime of dedication for most of us. I want to extend my warm congratulations and heartfelt gratitude to DNDi for their unwavering support to neglected patients in West Pokot and beyond over the past twenty years," she said.
"Through this charity run and our newly-formed partnership, I hope that we can eliminate the label "neglected patients" and garner more attention and support towards neglected diseases."
The charity race was announced at the DNDi offices in Nairobi, where the renowned Kenyan marathoner was also introduced as the official race ambassador.
Diseases such as leishmaniasis, dengue, Bilharzia and sleeping sickness are classified as neglected by the World Health Organization because they receive little attention from the global health agenda.
Over 15 of the 20 WHO-listed neglected diseases affect over 25 million Kenyans.
DNDi's charity run is scheduled for November 18, 2023, in Kacheliba, West Pokot County where visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) and other neglected diseases are common.
It will begin on Saturday at 6.30am along the St Comboni Kacheliba Girls' Primary School road.
The race will have two stages each catering to different age groups and physical abilities.
The first stage is a 10 km run open to elite athletes and the community. The second stage is a 5km run open to school children and other fun runners.
The charity run will be preceded by a free medical camp on November 15, where residents will be screened for mycetoma and leishmaniasis, two of the most neglected diseases.
They will also receive free consultations for common ailments and drugs to treat them.
"For me and many other residents of West Pokot, this race and the medical camp are incredibly important. They not only highlight the unique challenges we face - challenges that are often unfamiliar to other parts of Kenya - but also provide an opportunity to showcase our resilience," Loroupe said.
"By participating in the race and raising awareness, we can make a meaningful change in the lives of those affected by these diseases. Together, we can bring hope to neglected communities."
DNDi Eastern Africa Director Samuel Kariuki said the charity run aims to raise awareness.
'Today marks a significant milestone for DNDi. We are celebrating our 20th anniversary and I'm happy to say that we have developed 12 treatments over the last two decades for six deadly diseases. However, there are still gaps and we need new tools for many neglected diseases," he said.