Kenya hospital is first in Africa to join global alliance combating heart, kidney, and metabolic diseases

MP Shah Hospital today became the first hospital in Africa to join the CaReMe Global Alliance in a landmark collaboration to improve outcomes for patients with cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic (CVRM) diseases in Kenya, including conditions like diabetes, heart failure and chronic kidney disease.

Spearheaded by global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, the CaReMe Global Alliance is dedicated to transforming CVRM care from an approach that targets each condition individually to one that treats all three comorbidities as one.

This approach has already shown to improve clinical outcomes, reduce costs and enhance resource utilisation in partner hospitals worldwide, paving the way for a more sustainable healthcare model. As a member of the Alliance, MP Shah Hospital is the first in Africa to embark on this innovative and integrated model of streamlined CVRM care.

Affecting the heart, kidneys, and pancreas, CVRM diseases collectively comprise the leading cause of death worldwide, [1] with each condition amplifying the risk of further complications. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which include CVRM conditions, are on the rise in Kenya, accounting for over 50% of inpatient admissions and 40% of hospital deaths, consuming a significant portion of the healthcare budget. [2]

This new collaboration aims to address this rising burden in Kenya, aiming to engage 400 patients in the iCaReMe registry in the first year. Key objectives include integrating cardiology, diabetic, and renal clinics, managing patients holistically, and evaluating outcomes based on the CaReMe Model approach.

Beyond the immediate benefits to patients, this partnership underscores Kenya’s commitment to pioneering advanced healthcare solutions and positioning the nation at the forefront of medical innovation in Africa.

Khomotso Mashilane, Medical Director for AstraZeneca in African Cluster, said: “AstraZeneca is proud to support the integrated, patient-centric care approach championed by CaReMe, which has been shown to have a significant impact on the overall quality of health services and the quality of life of patients living with conditions like diabetes, heart, and kidney diseases. Moreover, it is a model that supports health system resilience and sustainability in Kenya by reducing costs and streamlining care, helping to pave the way for a greener, healthier tomorrow.”

Dr Toseef Din, CEO MP Shah Hospital, said: “MP Shah Hospital is thrilled to become the first in Africa to join the Global CaReMe Alliance. This integrated model of care for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases is proven to benefit patient outcomes and improve their overall experience, paving the way for better treatment across Kenya of these increasingly common diseases.”