OTISO: Let's raise awareness about Lupus disease

The World Lupus Day will be marked on May 10.

The day is commemorated to raise awareness about lupus.

It focuses on the need for improved patient healthcare services, increased research into causes and the care lupus patients need.

According to WHO together with the Lupus Foundation of America, an estimated five million people in the world live with lupus disease and a good number of people have died from it.

Lupus disease cure has not yet been discovered but scientists and researchers are on the run to come up with a cure. But early diagnosis and treatment of lupus is better.

According to medical experts, lupus is triggered by extreme stress, exposure to sunlight, smoking and certain types of medicines.

Generally, signs of this little known disease resemble those of other diseases but commonly fatigue, pain and swelling of the joints, headache and memory loss are the signs that emerge after effect.

Being World Lupus Day, it's a call to the government and other stakeholders to prioritise eliminating this health problem because it is dehumanising.

Researchers in different countries should make significant progress in identifying prevention strategies since prevention is better than cure.

Let's spread awareness about this less known disease, and educate families and friends about Lupus symptoms and the impacts of the disease on millions of people around the world.

We should all get screened for Lupus.

Everyone is at risk of getting this disease and therefore let's all take the measures needed to stay safe and help Lupus patients.

Lupus affects more women than men. This means women are a more vulnerable group as compared to their male counterparts.

However, let's not assume that men cannot get affected. They are at a risk too.

Government and concerned stakeholders should establish a lasting solution to control this menace that is limiting government efforts of improving the health sector not only in Kenya but also globally.

Just like we were able to address Covid-19, Lupus diseases can be controlled. We have the potential.

Lastly,  Sustainable Development Goals cannot be achieved by 2030 if strategic measures are not put in place to combat this worrying issue in society.

Journalist Radio Yetu

 

Edited by Kiilu Damaris