MLI proposal

Introduction WHO indicates that globally each year over 35 million people die annually due to Non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The NCDs leading in mortality are cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases. The people who die from NCDs are aged between 30 and 69 years, the majority of these deaths at 80% occur in low and middle-income countries. In Kenya, NCDs contribute to over 50% of inpatient admissions and 40% of deaths (WHO Kenya). The burden of NCDs has been aggravated by COVID 19, this is because most of the individuals who have NCDs when they contract COVID 19 develop the more severe form of the disease with a majority ending up losing their lives. Modify lifestyle initiative (MLI) is a nonprofit organization that is addressing an emerging problem of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the community. The global population are living older with a large proportion of this population developing NCDs. MLI will mitigate NCDs through education and advocacy in the population by focusing on modifiable risk factors such as encouraging quitting tobacco use, reducing alcohol consumption, eating a healthy diet, reducing salt intake and increasing physical activity through walking and exercise. These measures are novel, accessible and affordable, with minimum adverse effects and are available to the entire population. The success of this project can be benchmarked to benefit the residents of the affected area. MLI will build skill and capacities among its staff on the mission and objectives of the organization also on the expected deliverables. The organization will encourage collaboration for partnerships within the healthcare system both at the county and national levels. MLI will engage donors, sponsors, county and national governments and other stakeholders to ensure that funds for its programs are available also that the environment of operation is equally conducive. The organization will develop and disseminate clear processes for strategic partnering among all stakeholders. These collaborations will lead to among others MLI setting up pharmacy points of care within public health facilities primarily to champion lifestyle modification as a measure of combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs). There is an adequate body of evidence that shows that when these lifestyle coaches are embedded in existing healthcare systems they are effective and efficient in adherence education and advocacy. Equally important is that the patients with NCDs are counselled in their familiar environment which is convenient for them, The organization will have clear processes for training staff and other healthcare workers on NCDs’ modifiable risk factors. It will foster trust, human relationships. Also, build skill and technical knowledge among healthcare professionals. MLI will allow its staff to be creative, innovative and encourage pro partnering culture Mission The mission of Modify Lifestyle Initiatives (MLI) is to enable individuals to improve on their health education through counselling to assist them to modify their lifestyles to live healthier, longer lives free of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This will be achieved through initiatives to reduce salt, quit smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, eat healthier diets, reduce obesity and engage in regular exercise. Additionally, MLI will promote COVID 19 prevention protocols on hand hygiene, physical and social distancing, face masking and shielding among individuals with NCDs. Vision The vision of Modify Lifestyle Initiatives (MLI) is to increase services that support those affected with non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Through education, counselling and monitoring adherence focusing on modifying diet, smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity. This will ensure high quality of life for these individuals and that they age in place with dignity.MLI will engage healthcare workers by building their knowledge capacity and skill on the NCDs modifiable risk factors. This personnel will be embedded in public health facilities to educate, counsel and monitor adherence to lifestyle adjustments in patients attending clinics. All these patients with NCDs will benefit from MLI without discrimination Goals This project will improve the knowledge levels of individuals affected by NCDs on healthy lifestyle practices to facilitate change in their lifestyle. Ultimately the individual patients will benefit from improved health, prolonged life and a reduction on social determinants of health. The study will also provide improved data on adherence to these practices, additionally, the community will benefit from reduced disease burden. Objects The Organization has the following main objectives: To promote lifestyle modification initiatives as adjunctive to therapeutic measures to combat non-communicable diseases.

Specific Objects

And in furtherance of the principal object, the Organization shall have the following ancillary objects and powers: • To carry out health education on lifestyle modification initiatives. • Advocacy on healthy lifestyle practices in work, organisation setting and communities including initiating walk movements. • To facilitate the dissemination of lifestyle modification initiatives through health care workers. • To implement monitoring and evaluation of lifestyle modification programming. • To research lifestyle modification in areas of health. • To lobby policy from National Government, Ministry of Health, and County Government that support and facilitate lifestyle modification initiatives. • To take such steps by personal or written appeals, private meetings, public meetings or representations to Parliament, government entities and other bodies as may be deemed expedient to promote any of the objects of the Organization. • To raise, secure and utilise funds for the attainment of any or all objects of the Organization, and to do such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of these objects.