Klarah Nominated for World Summit Awards

by | Sep 24, 2022 | Angel, Health Tech, Healthcare, Patient, Press Release, Uncategorized

Press Release

HACK THE GAPS – DIGITAL.PURPOSE DRIVEN. GLOBAL. THE WSA NOMINEES OF 2022

KLARAH SELECTED AS BEST NATIONAL DIGITAL SOLUTION FOR INTERNATIONAL AWARD IN THE CATEGORY HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

BUEA/Salzburg, 23rd September 2022

Smart content combined with optimized utilization of state-of-the-art technology offers immense opportunities to close global and local divides and the achievement of the UN SDGs. KLARAH was nominated as the best national digital solution for CAMEROON for the international WSA (World Summit Awards), awarding yearly digital innovation with an impact on society.  With this nomination in the Category HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, KLARAH qualifies for evaluation by the WSA Jury 2022 among over 350 international nominations – a global diameter of digital innovation, from Canada to Indonesia, from Finland to Mozambique. 

The WSA nominees 2022 show the richness, diversity, future, and innovation of digital solutions on a global scale and prove how digital technology can improve society on each corner of the world.

KLARAH was nominated as the best national digital solution for CAMEROON for the international WSA.

KLARAH provides mobile apps and intuitive dashboards to improve access to healthcare by matching patients to nurses based on patient need, carer experience and their proximity to each other. By leveraging Africa’s illustrious diaspora as initial sponsors for healthcare financing, KLARAH is enabling quality home healthcare in Cameroon with its eyes set on other African countries in the near future.

The WSA 2022 nominees will be evaluated based on seven fundamental criteria: Content, Functionality, Design, Technology, Innovation, Impact and Value. 

“WSA combines two major perspectives in its initiative – first the commitment on the UN SDGs, and how to use ICTs to development.  And second the development of a global knowledge society. The UN SDGs must be our measurement – in terms of what to look at and where to look. Today we are living in a completely different environment – through the mobile revolution, through the emergence of the algorithmic age – data has become a capital as much as labour, land money and machinery. Hence, it is more important than ever to evaluate what is excellent content that really offers solutions and impact. Qualitative, local content has become the key and permanent issue. WSA presents innovation that uses ICT for social connectivity. To hack the global gaps.“ WSA Chairman Peter A. Bruck.

The WSA nominees are selected carefully and highly competitive by the WSA National Experts from more than 184 UN member states. The WSA National Experts nominate up to eight projects for each country – one for every WSA category. 

A nomination to the WSA hence is already an award in itself – the qualification to compete and compare on an international level and being the best practice in Health and Well-being nationally. 

 

About the WSA

WSA is a global initiative within the framework of the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). WSA is the only ICT event worldwide, that reaches the digital-driven social impact community in over 180 countries. WSA highlights digital content improving society and focuses on local content with global relevance.

Visit us on www.wsa-global.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, #WSA21

Media Contact WSA: 

 

Manuela Wagner

WSA Global Community Manager
manuela@wsa-global.org

+43.660.630408.7  

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Global Week for Action on NCDs

by | Sep 13, 2022 | Angel, Healthcare, Patient

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases refer to a group of conditions that are not mainly caused by an acute infection, result in long-term health consequences and often create a need for long-term treatment and care. These illnesses do not spread from person to person, they take a long time to develop and do not present symptoms in the early stages.

There are several diseases which fall into this group of conditions. The main types of non-communicable diseases are:

  • Diabetes,
  • Coronary heart disease,
  • Stroke,
  • Cancers, and
  • Chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma).

NCDs are diseases of long duration targeting men, women and children and people in all income groups. One of the most serious concerns about Non-Communicable Diseases is that they affect people in the productive years of their life. Non-Communicable Diseases are a leading cause of premature mortality.

The annual Global Week for Action on NCDs campaign seeks to bring attention to NCD prevention and control

According to the World Health Organisation, 41 million people die every year due to an NCD, accounting for over 70% of all deaths worldwide. But the deaths from NCDs are projected to escalate to 52 million – 75% of all deaths – within just eight years, by 2030. Although the burden is universal, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are hit the hardest, NCDs disproportionately affect people in low- and middle-income countries where more than three quarters of global NCD deaths – 31.4 million – occur.

In Cameroon, chronic diseases accounted for 848.1 deaths per 100,000 in 2002, corresponding to 43% of all deaths.

The rise of NCDs has been driven by primarily four major risk factors: tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets. The epidemic of NCDs poses devastating health consequences for individuals, families and communities, and threatens to overwhelm health systems.

The Global Week of Action on NCDs in 2022 aims to get a message across to governments, donors, international agencies and private sector. The 2022 theme puts the focus on investment for prevention: “Invest in NCDs today, save lives and money tomorrow“.

The imperative to change the global architecture of NCD treatment is not only ethical, but economic: morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases strains healthcare systems, removes people from the workforce, and places an enormous burden on younger generations (often young women) who must cut their education or careers short to act as unpaid caretakers for their parents and grandparents. Investing in better management of NCDs is critical.

Klarah is glad to join the global community to fight against this cankerworm that looms large in our society. Since its inception, Klarah has made it a mission to bridge the gap between the patient and primary care providers, who are in the frontline in the fight against non-communicable diseases.

By providing affordable and comprehensive health care which targets detecting, screening and treating NCDs, Klarah aims at reducing deaths from chronic disease by helping families, individuals and communities diagnose and manage the diseases early.

Non-communicable diseases affect us all, they cause nearly 3 out of 4 deaths globally – and billions of people live with one or more NCDs, many of which are preventable. But we can do something to turn the tide, let’s join the movement today, shun modifiable risk factors and engage in active contributions in the fight against NCDs. We can invest today to save lives tomorrow.

Health Benefits of Walking for Older Cameroonians

by | Aug 31, 2022 | Angel, Healthcare, Patient

As we grow older, we are most likely to feel like it’s a time to relax, not to increase our physical activity. However, for a healthier life, walking is one exercise we cannot toss away. From short walks around the neighbourhood to 30 minutes walks, walking has been known to be one of the best exercises for seniors. Besides being a great mood booster, walking has some great health benefits:

 

Improves cardiovascular health and function

Walking increases your heart rate strengthens your heart and increases blood circulation through your body.
Walking has the potential to play a key role in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

 

Improves blood pressure, control your blood sugar and reduces your risk of diabetes

Older adults are at a higher risk of experiencing health issues relating to high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol and heart disease in general. Walking daily can improve circulation and blood sugar levels, leading to lower risks of diabetes, strokes and cardiac arrest.

 

Boosts your immune system

People who walk regularly are less likely to get sick than those who do not exercise at all, research indicates. As the body ages, the immune system can weaken, but walking is one of the ways in which one can maintain a healthy and effective immune system and better protection against day-to-day illnesses.

 

Helps reduce arthritis pain

Walking reduces arthritis pain by lubricating knee and hip joints and strengthing the muscles surrounding those joints, which reduces the strain on them.

 

Reduces the risk of many chronic diseases

In addition to lowering your risk of heart attack and stroke, walking and other moderate exercises also help protect against dementia, peripheral artery disease, obesity, depression, colon cancer, and even erectile dysfunction. It may even lower the risk of breast cancer and other cancers.

 

Improve mental health

Walking outside, and being in nature allows you to decompress, get in touch with your thoughts, to understand what’s important and to relax. Walking can also improve self-esteem, decrease negative thoughts and improve overall mental well-being.

 

Improve mobility and balance

Weight-bearing exercises, including walking, increases lubrication and delivery of nutrition to your joints.

 

The benefits of walking are endless, we highly recommend that seniors should be as active as possible for a healthier lifestyle and longer lifespan. Therefore put on your walking shoes today and get walking today!

 

World Senior Citizen’s Day in Cameroon

by | Aug 21, 2022 | Angel, Healthcare

It’s another August 21st and we are celebrating World Senior Citizen’s Day.

Also known as National Senior Citizen’s Day in some countries, the day is observed to commemorate the contributions of elderly people in human society and honour them. The day is also celebrated to bring attention to various issues and challenges that affect the elderly, such as health issues, loneliness, neglect and abuse. World Senior Citizen’s Day dates back to August 19 1988, when the then president of the United States of America, Ronald Reagan, first announced it. In a proclamation named proclamation 5847, Reagan put forth the achievements and importance of older people in families, communities and the nation, and how improved healthcare facilities had helped the elderly to lead with their experience. Today, the day is celebrated all over the world. In Africa, Reverence for our elders is a core value across African societies and so this day is a reminder to appreciate the grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles who have guided, inspired and made sacrifices for their families and communities.

Celebrated this year under the theme, “Digital equity for all citizens”, the day is expected to create awareness of the technological connection between younger and old age, to emphasize equal digital opportunities for the marginalized older people, because many seniors are missing out on access to health care and social engagement facilitated by technology. In Cameroon, despite the fact that the ageing population represents 11% of the total population, seniors continue to be a vulnerable group. Their interests, concerns and preferences are overlooked or sometimes assumed.

Africa’s elderly population is expected to triple from 54 million today to 163 million by 2050 (as noted by the World Health Organisation). With this growing population, it is of utmost importance to have an efficient system to address the well-being of the elderly in society.

One amazing way to celebrate the seniors in our lives is by providing them with the most personal and round-the-clock care, tailored to meet every individual’s needs.

Klarah is happy to partake in attending to the needs of the elderly ones of our society. With our state-of-the-art medical technology, coupled with experienced and trained nurses, the elderly people under our care may just have been introduced to a great digital life while receiving unrivalled care at home.

So today, we celebrate all seniors, we are delighted to have you here and will always value your presence. We also celebrate all stakeholders involved in senior care, from doctors, families, nurses, caregivers, home health aides, and all the admin/staff who have made a difference!

To honour a senior citizen in your life, why not offer them a 1 year healthcare voucher? Click here to subscribe.

 

10 secrets your mother is not telling you

by | Aug 12, 2022 | Angel

To the surprise of many, their parents are also human! Since when you were growing up, you probably thought of your parents as infallible beings who were all-knowing and incapable of pain. It turns out that our parents, just like us have their hopes and aspirations but also their fears and embarrassments especially when it comes to their health.

In this article, we dig deep into the thoughts of women who are 60 years and over to find out what are some of the embarrassing health concerns that they grapple with every day without the knowledge of their children.

 

1. Urinary Incontinence

As women get older, especially, after having children, they experience weaker pelvic floor resulting in involuntarily passage of urine. Imagine you now, strong, healthy, outgoing and confident. Then fastward many years and you wet yourself every now and again with little to no control. Did you notice the ammonia smell of urine the last time you visited? That’s the effect of urine incontinence and your mother has to deal with it because she thinks there’s nothing she can do to manage it.

 

2. Trip and Fall

Notice how your mother walks with a limp but does not utter a word about it? This could be related to a fall which occurred from tripping from what she could swear was an obstacle but turned out to be nothing.

 

3. Memory Loss

It all started way back when she would call you using your sibling’s name. Then she started forgeting where she kept her phone and keys. Well, things have progressed quite a bit from then and she is worried. She fears she may become unconscious of who she is if things keep going down this path.

 

4. Depression

For us Africans, depression has been a foreign concept that we hardly understand muchless acknowledge. With everything that is going on, your mother finds herself feeling low many times than she would care to count.

 

5. Body Pains

From aching fingers to aching knees and back. At this age, if you have stairs in your house, it is very likely that with every step, your mother feeels a sharp pain. It happens all too frequently she cannot be bothered to talk about it as it has now become a part of her life.

 

6. Isolation and Loneliness

Only a handful of youths still live in their towns of birth much less at home. Due to the politico socio economic dynamics of Cameroon, it is not unusual for one to leave to another city or travel abroad for a chance at a betteer life. While this greatly improves the conditions back home, it creates a void which extended relatives can hardly fill.

 

7. Unprescribed Medication

As all of these changes are happening all at once, your mother has a stash of medications, some of which have long expired, which she takes every now and again. If you were to ask her what the prescribed dosage is, she would hardly give you a comprehensive response.

 

8. Malnourishment

 Malnutrition in older adults has been recognised as a challenging health concern associated with not only increased mortality and morbidity, but also with physical decline, which has wide ranging acute implications for activities of daily living and quality of life in general. Malnutrition is common and may also contribute to the development of the geriatric syndromes in older adults.

9. Alcoholism

 It may not necessarily be alcohol but in many cases, older adults turn to substances to help cope with the changes which they are experiencing in life. Imagine how difficult it can be for your mother to open up to say she might have an alcohol dependency at her age! What is worse, she might not know she does.

 

10. Poverty

 With all the money that you may be sending back home, your mother has a longer list of things which needs her attention. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that not all the money earmarked for healthcare actually ends up being used for healthcare. How can she tell you then that sometimes she finds it easier to divert money for her health to other needs?

 

All these points may apply to your mother to different degrees if at all. We hope that you have some insights into what changes are taking place in her life and can take swift measures to ensure that she ages healthily as prescribed by the WHO.

Gift your mother or father an anual subscription to Klarah‘s quality home healthcare solution by registering here.