MPOX- North Star Alliance’s Role in Combating MPOX

North Star Alliance’s Role in Combating MPOX MPOX is the latest threat to global public health and has the world grappling with the burden of treatment and de-escalation. In recent years, the global health landscape has been challenged by the emergence of viral diseases that have garnered significant attention due to their rapid spread and severe health implications. North Star Alliance is at the forefront playing a crucial role in mitigating its impact, particularly among mobile populations and the communities it interacts with. MPOX, formally known as Monkey pox, is a viral infectious disease from the same viral family   that causes smallpox. Mpox is a zoonotic disease spreading easily between animals and people. It is endemic, in parts of Central and West Africa, found in small rodents and other mammals besides monkeys. The main symptoms include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, which if untreated, can lead to a range of medical complications. Addressing MPOX through Community-Based Healthcare North Star Alliance’s approach to healthcare is particularly effective considering the nature of MPOX’s transmission. Our Roadside Wellness Centers are equipped to handle a variety of health issues, including infectious diseases like MPOX, COVID 19, HIV & AIDS among others. Here’s how we are making a difference:

• Awareness and Education: North Star Alliance has been conducting extensive awareness campaigns to educate communities and staff about MPOX, its symptoms, and preventive measures. By disseminating accurate information, they help reduce the stigma associated with the disease and encourage early reporting and treatment.
• Surveillance and Reporting: The organization plays an important role in monitoring the spread of MPOX. By maintaining detailed health records and reporting cases found to relevant health authorities, we contribute to the global effort to track and control the virus.
• Support for Mobile Populations: Mobile populations are often at higher risk of contracting and spreading infectious diseases due to their transitory lifestyle. Our clinics strategically located along Africa’s transport corridors provide a stable point of care for these individuals, ensuring they receive consistent, comprehensive and equitable healthcare services.

Media Engagement and Outreach To further amplify our efforts in combating MPOX, we are actively engaging with the local media including KBC, K24, TV47 among others, conducting media tours to several local TV stations to discuss MPOX and the health of mobile populations. These media appearances are instrumental in raising public awareness, dispelling myths, and providing accurate information about the disease. By leveraging the power of media, we ensure that key messages reach wider audience, fostering a more informed and proactive community response. Watch our latest interviews: “Our missions is to provide quality health care to mobile workers like Truck Drivers and the communities that they interact with. We set up Roadside Clinics along the Transport Corridors at the major transport hubs and boarder points to take care of this important populations.” Eva Mwai “If something is not done to ensure that the Transport Corridors are operating effectively, then of course there will be problems.” Eva Mwai As MPOX continues to pose a threat to global health, our mission is more important than ever. By focusing on vulnerable populations and providing accessible healthcare to mobile populations, we are not only addressing the immediate needs of those affected by MPOX but also contributing to the broader goal of global health security. We are confident that our approach to healthcare delivery is making a significant impact in the fight against MPOX. Through education, treatment, surveillance, and media engagement, we are helping to control the spread of the virus and protect the health of communities across Africa.