Dettol and KMA ink 3-year deal to combat preventable diseases

Reckitt Kenya, through its hygiene brand Dettol, has officially entered into a partnership with the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) to tackle the burden of preventable illnesses across the country.

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The Memorandum of Understanding was signed during the 53rd KMA Annual Scientific Conference held in Naivasha.

This strategic alliance aims to promote improved hygiene practices, enhance disease prevention, and bolster public health education nationwide.

The collaboration merges the science-led expertise of Dettol in disinfection with the medical leadership of the KMA.

Together, the two entities plan to roll out extensive health awareness campaigns that prioritise hand hygiene, sanitation, and general disease prevention.

These initiatives will be delivered through community outreach and public education programs.

Both organisations will also participate jointly in key national and global health awareness days to drive sustained behavior change among Kenyans.

Reckitt Kenya Country Manager, Mustapha Bugaje, emphasized that the partnership reflects the company’s dedication to health outcomes in the region.

He noted that combining scientific expertise with a trusted medical voice allows the initiative to reach more communities with life-saving information.

According to the partnership framework, the initiative recognizes that simple hygiene practices are among the most effective and affordable methods to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.

The KMA will serve a critical role in the partnership by ensuring that all public health messaging remains accurate and credible.

The association intends to utilise its vast network of medical professionals to promote best practices throughout the healthcare system.

KMA President Dr. Simon Kigondu expressed optimism about the joint effort, stating that the association hopes to have a significant impact on reducing mortality related to hygiene-based illnesses.

To ensure a broad reach, the program will utilize a multi-channel communication strategy. This includes television, radio, print, and outdoor platforms, alongside professional engagement at medical seminars and training forums.

Furthermore, selected Dettol product packaging will feature KMA-endorsed hygiene messages to encourage better habits at the household level.

This private-public alignment occurs as Kenya seeks to achieve universal access to improved sanitation by 2030. National targets currently aim to increase public investment in sanitation from 0.2 percent of GDP to 0.9 percent.

By aligning private sector innovation with medical leadership, the partnership seeks to empower communities with evidence-based guidance to lower the burden of preventable illnesses linked to poor sanitation.

Notable Perspectives

“This partnership underscores Reckitt’s commitment to improving health outcomes in Kenya,” said Mustapha Bugaje.

“Combining our scientific expertise with KMA’s trusted medical voice allows us to reach more communities with practical, life-saving hygiene information and support lasting behaviour change.”

Dr. Simon Kigondu highlighted the necessity of credible information in the fight against disease.

“We are hoping that, together with Dettol and Kenya Medical Association, We will have an impact in reducing the death from preventable illnesses that are hygiene based,” he remarked.

“This partnership with Dettol will enable us to extend credible, evidence-based health information to more Kenyans and reinforce the critical role of hygiene and sanitation in reducing disease burden.”