The MAGIC Foundation, Kenya

05/01/2026

January is Thyroid Awareness Month.
In children, a healthy thyroid is essential for normal growth and development. Thyroid hormones work closely with growth hormone to support height gain, brain development, and overall wellbeing.
👉 Undiagnosed thyroid disorders can lead to poor growth, delayed puberty, and learning difficulties.
Early testing and treatment can change a child’s future.

21/12/2025

Hello MAGIC Family,we wish you all a Magical Christmas and a very prosperous year.

21/12/2025

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr.Paul Laigong (Kenya) Pediatric Endocrinologist and Lecturer at the University of Nairobi, who also serves at KNH, Nairobi Hospital, and Mater Hospital South B.

Dr. Laigong’s commitment to clinical excellence, medical education, and advocacy for early detection of endocrine disorders continues to strengthen neonatal and paediatric endocrine care in Kenya, while mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.

We officially handed over the newly translated Kiswahili CAH (Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia) flyer, translated by Magic Foundation Africa, with tremendous support from the PESK (Paediatric Endocrine Society of Kenya) team — with special thanks to Dr. Prisca Amolo for her invaluable guidance and contribution.

10/12/2025

We are deeply grateful to Dr .Esther Kobel — paediatrician and Co-Founder at CLAN Child Health Africa — for traveling all the way from Uganda to attend our first meeting. Her commitment, time, and expertise in childhood non‑communicable diseases (including conditions like CAH) make her support invaluable.

Dr .Kobel brings years of experience caring for children living with chronic health conditions, and through CLAN she advocates tirelessly for early diagnosis, family support, and community education for NCDs. Her presence at our meeting strengthened our unity and resolve — we truly appreciate your time, dedication and the hope you bring to children and families.CLAN Child Health

10/12/2025

MAGIC Africa also had the privilege of handing over the translated CAH flyers to the Paediatric Endocrine Society of Kenya (PESK) team at Kenyatta National Hospital.
I arrived at 8:00 AM, and the clinic was already full—doctors moving quickly from one patient to the next, families waiting, and the entire space busy with care. Despite the heavy morning workload, the team still gave us a moment of their time, and I am truly grateful.

Dr. Prisca Amolo, a Paediatric Endocrinologist at Kenyatta National Hospital, worked closely with us in translating both the CAH flyer and the CAH Book for Girls from English to Kiswahili—ensuring families can understand their condition in a language that feels natural and accessible.
Dr. Anjum Omar, a respected Paediatric Endocrinologist and paediatrician, continues to champion early diagnosis and specialised care for children with hormonal disorders.
We also met Catherine Nailaen, a dedicated nurse and diabetes educator who provides practical, compassionate support to families navigating chronic conditions.

Families can find these amazing professionals at Kenyatta National Hospital, Children’s Area:
• Room 23 – Endocrine patients
• Room 22 – General paediatric patients

Paediatric endocrinologists play a crucial role in newborn and neonatal care. They guide early diagnosis of hormonal disorders, support families through treatment decisions, provide emergency plans for conditions like CAH, and ensure newborns receive the best start in life through timely, specialised care. Pediatric Endocrine Society Kenya

09/12/2025

📢 Upcoming Webinar!
Join the Community of Practice meeting on Thursday, 11 Dec 2025.
MAGIC Africa will be presenting during the Scaling Newborn Screening session.
⏰ East Africa Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Don’t miss it!
MATES4Kids Dec 2025 Community of Practice Meeting
Scheduled: 11 Dec 2025 at 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm, AEDT
Location: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81758203704?pwd=h1JjxkphFaOQiDqQkE5qbg1izra86q.1
CLAN Child Health is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81758203704?pwd=h1JjxkphFaOQiDqQkE5qbg1izra86q.1

Meeting ID: 817 5820 3704
Passcode: 853245

09/12/2025

Today, MAGIC Africa handed over the newly translated CAH (Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia) educational flyers—available in both English and Kiswahili—to support the work of Hilda Muiruri at the Mental Health Department of Kenyatta National Hospital.
These materials will help patients and families better understand their condition in a language that is accessible and familiar.

Hilda Muiruri is a dedicated healthcare professional whose career spans both nursing and psychology. Now serving as a psychologist in the Mental Health Department, she provides compassionate emotional and psychosocial support to patients and families facing chronic medical conditions.

Her work is especially impactful for children and adolescents who are transitioning into adulthood and struggling to understand the physical, emotional, and social changes brought on by their conditions. She creates a safe environment where young people and their caregivers can explore their fears, build coping skills, and strengthen their resilience.

With her strong foundation in nursing and her expertise in psychology, Hilda bridges medical care with mental and emotional well-being—ensuring that every patient receives holistic support that addresses both their health and their heart.

01/12/2025

💙✨ WE DID IT! THANK YOU, CAH COMMUNITY! ✨💙

What an incredible and empowering Parents–Doctors Engagement Meeting we had today! The room was filled with knowledge, compassion, and true community spirit.
Whether you joined us physically in Nairobi or virtually from around the world, your presence made this event a success. 🌍💙

A heartfelt THANK YOU to our amazing speakers and partners:

👨‍⚕️ Dr. Renson Mukwana – for breaking down CAH management with clarity and hope.
🧠 Hilda Muiruri – for guiding us through the emotional & psychological journey with warmth.
🌍 Dr.Kate Armstrong – for bringing global collaboration and inspiration to the room.
💪🏽 Dr.Heriet Mhondiwa – for sharing powerful lessons in parent-led advocacy from Zimbabwe.
🩺 Dr. Phoebe Amolo – for your continued dedication to CAH care.
👩‍⚕️ Dr. Esther Kobel – for strengthening regional CAH advocacy and family-centered care across Africa.

A big thank you to every parent, caregiver, young adult, and advocate who attended.
Your questions, openness, and support made the day truly meaningful.

🌟 We also celebrated a major milestone — the launch of the new CAH flyer in both English and Kiswahili, making CAH education more accessible to families across the region. 📘📙

💙 Together, we are building a stronger, more informed, and more connected CAH community in Africa and beyond.

23/11/2025

Learning about budget allocation per sector,check slide 2,One key takeaway from the NCD Conference: Kenya still allocates 5% or less of its national budget to health — far below the 15% Abuja Declaration target, which only a few African countries like Rwanda, Botswana, Cabo Verde, and South Africa have managed to meet.

This low investment directly affects pregnant mothers, people and children with chronic conditions, those with special needs, and families relying on lifelong medication. Countries that meet or come close to the 15% target tend to show stronger primary care systems and better maternal and child health outcomes — but increased funding only works when combined with strong governance, equitable distribution of resources, effective health insurance models, and efficient implementation.

For Kenya and much of Sub-Saharan Africa, the way forward is clear:
Increase health investment, strengthen real implementation (not just policy on paper), and ensure patients and advocacy groups are truly included in decision-making. Mortality will only drop when health becomes a genuine national priority.Health is wealth.

19/11/2025

Attending the NCD Conference 2025, the very first conference of its kind in Kenya, was a powerful experience for our organization. Together with Christine Mutena, Co-founder of Rare Disorder Kenya, we engaged with policymakers and learned how other organizations are driving change in the NCD space.

We gained key insights on:
• Strengthening policy and advocacy for improved NCD care
• Innovative community programs and partnerships
• The need for inclusive data systems, especially for rare conditions
• Enhancing patient and family support

This inaugural NCD conference strengthened our commitment to advancing awareness, care, and policy support for people living with chronic and rare conditions.

08/11/2025

02/11/2025

💙 Understanding & Managing Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) 💙

Are you a parent, caregiver, or patient living with CAH?
Don’t miss this special Parents–Doctors Engagement Meeting — a chance to learn, connect, and grow together! 🌟

✨ Learn directly from top CAH specialists & psychologists
✨ Understand when to give extra hydrocortisone (stress dosing)
✨ Connect with other CAH families — you’re not alone!
✨ Enjoy a light meal, conversations & community support

📅 Saturday, 29th November 2025
🕚 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Seminar Room 4, Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital – Muthaiga, Nairobi

💫 We warmly invite you to attend physically!
Your presence, questions, and story matter — together, we can build a stronger, more informed CAH community in Africa. 💪🏽💙

🌍 Guests from other countries can also join virtually to strengthen regional collaboration.

📞 RSVP: +254 713 166 800
📧 info@magicfoundationafrica.org
🔗 Learn more or register here: https://shorturl.at/TA3nP