Welcome to the Allergy Society of Kenya (ASOK), the leading health professional organization that fosters acquisition of allergy knowledge and skills among health care practitioners and promotes appropriate care for allergy patients in Kenya. We have come a long way since the idea of ASOK was first conceived in an office by a few concerned colleagues. At that time allergies were not regarded as a serious health concern compared to the heavy burden of communicable diseases that was prevalent in our region. Unfortunately, as our population and environment have evolved over time, the improvements in our way of life have taken a toll on our immune systems. What were viewed as “conditions of the West” are now increasingly evident in all ages of our population.

Thanks to the team that formulated the concept of ASOK, we are now in a better position to contend with the increasing challenge of these conditions. With the support from our colleagues in the World Allergy Organization (WAO), we have held two World Allergy Training Schools (WATS) in 2012 and 2018. We have also held Annual ASOK Symposiums or Biennial Conferences, several allergy tracks in the Kenya Paediatric Association (KPA) Annual Scientific Congress and have collaborated with About Allergy (SA) and the Allergy Society of Tanzania in their Symposiums/ Conferences.

Allergy is a growing field and we are currently very few specialists in the region but with the support of our stakeholders, we are determined to increase awareness, knowledge and skill, and to improve access to appropriate allergy care at primary and higher levels. My primary goal is to educate as many colleagues as possible at primary care level as they are the forefront of healthcare access. Creation of robust referral systems will allow those patients who require more specialized care to access them. Overall, this will translate into better care countrywide.

I encourage the many patients with various allergic conditions to support each other as those who have walked in the same shoes understand the struggle a lot better. The allergy spectrum is wider than generally perceived and patients with the same condition may be affected differently but support and understanding from health care workers, friends and family is vital for those affected to achieve good outcomes. Most allergies have no cure, the management is long term and often expensive. We hope to find local solutions that may better suit our population and some of these solutions will come from those affected. We celebrate those who have outgrown their allergies and encourage those still on the journey. Together, we shall make a difference in how allergy is perceived and managed in Kenya and beyond.

Dr. Elizabeth W. Kiragu
Chair, Allergy Society of Kenya