On 29th September 2024, Doctors for Healthy Living (D4HL) partnered with the Ministry of Health, Kenya Cardiac Society, Kenya Medical Association, and other key stakeholders in the health sector to spotlight the importance of heart health and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

The celebrations, which were held at the University of Nairobi - Kenya Science Campus, kicked off with a walk and were headlined by a football tournament and fun activities throughout the day.

Commenting on D4HL’s participation in this year’s World Heart Day celebrations, D4HL’s Co-Founder, Lawrence Gikarusaid, “D4HL seeks to mobilise the public into changing behaviour in relation to serious public health threats such as CVDs. It provides a unique platform for individuals and organisations across the healthcare ecosystem to play their part in contributing to the promotion of public health.”

Key speakers from the Ministry of Health and also the Kenya Cardiac Society (KCS) called for more attention towards the prevention of cardiovascular diseases to significantly reduce the risk of heart disease.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Dr Yvette Nafula-Kisaka, the Technical Lead in the Ministry’s Non-Communicable Diseases Division, said, "In Kenya, cardiovascular diseases are the second leading cause of mortality. About 24 percent of Kenyans have hypertension, a major risk factor for heart disease."

"Sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use are major contributors to cardiovascular disease. These risk factors are often linked to lifestyle choices." Dr. Kisaka added.

On his part, Dr. Bernard Samia, President of the Kenya Cardiac Society said, "We can prevent up to 70 or 80 percent of cardiac diseases that occur in our communities by addressing key risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity."

During the World Heart Day celebrations, attendees who visited D4HL’s tent had a chance to measure their weight, blood pressure, and waist circumference. At least 90 people visited the D4HL tent for screening.

D4HL also played a pivotal role by providing communication support both on mainstream and digital media as well as medical screening services in line with this year’s World Heart Day theme of “Use Heart for Action”.