The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) congratulates Luke Kanyang’areng, a nurse and patient advocate from West Pokot, for becoming the first Kenyan to receive the Human Rights and Nursing Award for his role in advocating for the human rights of neglected patients.
The annual Human Rights and Nursing Awards are presented to exemplary nurses for their outstanding commitment to the promotion of human rights and the nursing philosophy of humanity. The aim of the award is to highlight and celebrate nurses whose work fosters international recognition and respect for the human rights and dignity of people everywhere.
The 2025 Human Rights and Nursing Awards were presented at the 25th International Nursing Ethics conference in association with the Nursing Ethics journal on 28 August at the University of Turku, Finland.
‘This recognition empowers me to intensify my efforts to raise awareness and improve healthcare access for neglected diseases,’ Luke said in his acceptance speech.
Luke’s journey is unique. As a teenager, he nearly lost his life to visceral leishmaniasis (also called kala-azar), a neglected tropical disease that is the second deadliest killer after malaria. The gruelling 30-day treatment and painful recovery left a lasting impact on him, and he went on to become a nurse at the very hospital that saved his life.
‘I wanted to understand how to care for vulnerable patients, and to dedicate my life to ensure others do not suffer as I did. Each patient I’ve cared for has reminded me of my own journey,’ continued Luke.
Today, Luke is not only a dedicated nurse but also a lifeline for countless individuals in his community. For over 20 years, he has worked tirelessly in West Pokot County, providing care to patients with leishmaniasis and other diseases. As the former nurse-in-charge at Kacheliba Sub-County Hospital, the same facility where he was treated as a child, he has led clinical care, trained colleagues, and treated hundreds of patients with empathy and dedication.
He currently serves at Kanyarkwat Health Centre where he continues to advocate for patients and raise awareness in communities where myths and stigma often prevent timely treatment.
Luke aims to use the award to conduct community outreach in hard-to-reach areas on the weekends and offer health talks focused on prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment-seeking behavior related to kala-azar. Luke is also recruiting local ambassadors to assist in educating communities about kala-azar screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
Watch our short-film on voices of leishmaniasis featuring Luke
Photo credit: Rowan Pybus-DNDi
