Kenya’s MP Shah Hospital has become 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 the country, 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, 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 per cent of inpatient admissions and 40 per cent of hospital deaths, consuming a significant portion of the healthcare budget.

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.

MP Shah Hospital is Nairobi’s premier multi-speciality health facility, with a long-standing reputation for excellence in patient care. It has grown from a five-bed nursing home in the 1930s to a 217-bed tertiary facility.

The hospital has set its focus on the following centres of excellence: cardiovascular, cancer and transplant, maternal and child-health, and ambulatory surgical care. This is achieved through a multi-disciplinary approach using various specialists. The desire of our patients to receive effective and efficient healthcare has driven the investment in modern technology and continuous improvement. Thus, the legacy of care, has been upheld.

Collaborative advantage has also been maintained through local and international partnerships to ensure Kenyans and Africans in the region get the best care available.

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.”

• A Tell report