UoN -AMSUN Wellness Festival Champions Preventive Health and Early Detection

By bringing medical students, healthcare professionals and service providers together, the Nawewe Family Wellness Festival placed preventive healthcare, early detection and community health education at the centre of a day dedicated to family wellbeing.

The University of Nairobi's Graduation Square became a platform for community health engagement on Sunday, 25 October 2026, as the Association of Medical Students of the University of Nairobi (AMSUN), in partnership with Nawewe, the University's Health Services and participating medical service providers, hosted the Nawewe Family Wellness Festival.

Held during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, popularly known as Pinktober, the festival sought to promote preventive healthcare, encourage early detection of diseases and raise awareness about healthy lifestyles. Its guiding message, “Know Earlier. Live Better. Age Well Together,” underscored the importance of making health information and preventive services accessible to individuals and families.

At the centre of the initiative was a recognition that healthcare should not only be sought when illness occurs. Regular health checks, timely screening, access to reliable medical information and early consultation are equally important in preventing complications and improving health outcomes.

For the participating healthcare providers, the festival offered an opportunity to engage directly with members of the university and the wider community through health education, screening and medical consultations. The collaboration brought together different actors in healthcare delivery, demonstrating the value of partnerships between academic institutions, medical students, health professionals and service providers in advancing public health awareness.

The emphasis on breast cancer screening was particularly significant given the timing of the festival.

According to the National Cancer Institute of Kenya's 2024 cancer statistics, breast cancer remains the most commonly reported cancer nationally, accounting for 16.7 per cent of reported cancer cases. The report also highlights the challenge of late diagnosis, with 78.6 per cent of patients whose cancer stage was documented diagnosed at Stage III or IV.

Late diagnosis often makes treatment more difficult and can compromise outcomes, reinforcing the importance of public awareness, timely screening and early presentation for medical attention.

Against this backdrop, the festival provided an opportunity to bring breast cancer awareness and screening closer to the community. A total of 113 breast cancer screenings were recorded during the event, demonstrating the contribution of community-based initiatives in creating opportunities for people to access screening services and learn more about their health.

Beyond screening, such engagements are important in addressing misconceptions, encouraging people to seek medical advice and helping individuals understand the importance of paying attention to changes in their bodies.

Early detection does not necessarily prevent cancer from developing, but it can facilitate timely diagnosis and access to appropriate treatment, potentially improving outcomes.

Beyond breast cancer screening, the festival addressed a wider range of health and wellness concerns. Participants had access to dental and eye check-ups, youth drug and substance abuse awareness, screening and treatment vouchers, as well as opportunities for health consultations and wellness education. A blood donation drive also formed part of the planned health programme.

The range of services reflected the festival's broader focus on family wellbeing, recognising that good health encompasses more than the treatment of illness. It also involves preventive care, reproductive health, healthy ageing, mental and physical wellbeing, and informed choices about lifestyle and personal health.

By providing a common platform for different healthcare providers, the festival created an opportunity for members of the public to engage with health professionals, seek guidance and become more informed about available health services.

Such community engagements are particularly valuable in making health information accessible and encouraging conversations around health concerns that may otherwise go unaddressed. They also provide an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between healthcare professionals and the communities they serve.

For AMSUN, the festival also builds on a longstanding tradition of medical student involvement in community service.

Founded in 1967, the Association of Medical Students of the University of Nairobi has, over the years, undertaken public outreach initiatives, including medical camps and mentorship programmes. Its activities provide opportunities for medical students to extend their engagement beyond the classroom and clinical environment into communities.

The Nawewe Family Wellness Festival offered another avenue for translating medical knowledge into public health engagement. Such initiatives allow students to appreciate that healthcare extends beyond diagnosis and treatment to include communication, public education, disease prevention and community participation.

This dimension of medical training is important in preparing future healthcare professionals to understand the social context in which health challenges arise and the role they can play in addressing them.

The partnership with Nawewe, University Health Services and the participating medical service providers further illustrates the importance of collaboration in advancing community health. By drawing on the expertise and resources of different institutions and professionals, universities can help bridge the gap between health knowledge and public awareness.

As a centre of teaching, research and public service, the University of Nairobi continues to provide a platform through which academic knowledge, professional expertise and community engagement can intersect. Initiatives such as the Nawewe Family Wellness Festival demonstrate how partnerships involving students, healthcare professionals and service providers can contribute to this broader public service role.