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Corona Virus- Everything you Need to Know

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According to the World Health Organization, Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

Here are some FAQ’s

Can COVID-19 be transmitted from person to person?

Yes. Close contact with an infected patient in a household workplace, or health care center increases
risk of transmission. You are encouraged to limit contact with people who are sick especially with flu-like
symptoms.

Can humans get infected with COVID-19?

Yes. Humans can get infected with COVID-19 from animals. Contact with infected domestic and wild
animals, increases your risk of infection. People are encouraged to limit direct contact with sick wild and
domestic animals. Thoroughly cook animal products (including meat, eggs and other animal products).

Is there a treatment for COVID-19?

There is no specific treatment. However, many of the symptoms can be treated and therefore treatment is
given based on the patient’s clinical condition. Moreover, supportive care for infected persons can be
highly effective.

What do you have at Goodlife Pharmacy?

We carry a range of alcohol based sanitizers and wipes, surgical and N95 masks, No contact thermometer and Vitamin C supplements to combat the pandemic.

Is there a vaccine for a COVID-19?

As this is a new disease, there is no vaccine at the moment.

What do you need to do to protect yourself and others from getting COVID-19?

• Regularly wash hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid close contact with people who have flu-like symptoms.
• Cover your nose and mouth with tissue or cough and sneeze into your flexed elbow.
• Avoid handshaking hugging and kissing with people who have flu-like symptoms.
• Stay home and avoid travelling when you have flu-like symptoms.
• Report fever, cough and shortness of breath to the nearest health facility.

Are health workers at risk from COVID-19?

Yes they are as they come into contact with patients more often than the general public. The Ministry of
Health recommends that health care workers consistently apply appropriate infection prevention and
control measures.

What do I need to know if I plan to travel to China and other countries reporting cases of COVID-19?

• Avoid contact with people who have flu-like symptoms.
• Use a face mask while visiting crowded places.
• Avoid direct contact with both domestic and wild animals (alive or dead).
• Avoid eating raw or partially cooked meat or other animal products.
• Regularly wash hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.

Information Courtesy of Kenya Ministry of Health (MOH)

5 Reasons to Shop at Goodlife

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As life gets busier by the day, more and more Kenyans are embracing convenience shopping in their lifestyle changes as part of coping with the times. This means no longer having a trail of cars in traffic leading to giant super markets to make long queues, but rather picking up daily essentials in their neighborhood convenient stores on their way home.

 At Goodlife Pharmacy, we have ensured that we keep up with this trend by strategically availing ourselves in the most convenient locations around the country and offering more services than your average pharmacy in many exciting and different ways. We have 60 branches and growing by the day to meet the demanding needs of Kenyans.

Goodlife seeks to be the leading Pharmacy, Health & Beauty Care provider in East Africa, delivering best in class care health advice, reasonably priced genuine medications, innovative pharmacy professional services and quality health & beauty products to all our customers.

Here are our top five picks why you should pop into a Goodlife outlet near you:

1. We Are More Than a Pharmacy

Goodlife Pharmacy is much more than your ordinary every day pharmacy. With the new three-prong offering of Pharmacare, Personal Care and Beauty Products, you can now pop into any Goodlife outlet for more than just a prescription. We also offer free professional services like Skin Care Consultation, Nutritionist, and Ear Piercing among other vital services. In collaboration with our partners you can now find in our stores. Valentis Health – Dial Daktari services which is an on- call doctor services, Essilor who offer affordable eye care through their My Vision shop, Pathologists Lancet Kenya(PLK) for laboratory services and DiaspoCare2019 who offer access and payment of medication and health services for loved ones from anywhere in the world. Our motto is “Helping the nation to look and feel good one person at a time” and that is a promise we endeavor to keep.

2. Daily essentials are stocked

Long gone are the days when you had to pop into a mall or big shopping outlet to get basic daily essentials like diapers, wipes, baby formula, Vitamins, tissue paper and many others. You can walk into into any of our 60 outlets and get you choice of a variety of daily essentials hassle free. We also boast renowned international brands such Dr. Organics, La Roche Posay, Shea Moisture, Vichy, Aveeno as well as other local brands now grace the shelves at all our outlets to allow you easy access to your favorite hair and beauty products.

3. Beat the Long Queues

With Goodlife Pharmacy outlets located in convenient locations for quick shopping, you can hop in and out without winding queues common in supermarkets. This saves you time while giving you the much-needed peace of mind as you pick up your desired Pharmacare, Health and beauty items from a location near you.

4. Professional Staff and Much More

Value addition is weaved right into every Goodlife Pharmacy outlet. You can get advice on what to use on your skin type, get an over the phone consultation with a doctor or get advice on your prescription from our pharmacists depending on the location, all this to ensure you have that much needed peace of mind. The staff at all Goodlife outlets are highly trained and highly skilled to ensure they offer the required assistance you need as you do your shopping.

5. Convenient Shopping Hours

Last but not least, Goodlife keeps convenient shopping hours in most outlets – especially since the traditional 6:00 P.M closing time for most chemists can be an inconvenience since most working-class citizens are either sitting in traffic at that time or still in the office. You can pop in to some outlets as late as 10:00pm and some even at midnight to quickly pick up your required items. Please check our store locator to see the opening and closing hours of the different outlets for your convenience.

So there you have it. Our top five picks of why you should pop into your favorite Goodlife outlet to do your shopping. Of course, there are many more reasons – especially the promotions and the wide range of gift items to gift that special someone – but that is a story for another day.

Goodlife Towns

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We recently celebrated the opening of our 60th branch in the region on December 3rd 2019. The unveiling of the latest store means Goodlife now has presence in almost all major towns in Kenya.Our stakeholders, suppliers, and business partners joined us the commemoration of this great achievement. The event was well attended with our CEO Amaan Khalfan hosting Leap Frog Investments’ Felix Olale and Dr. Kariuki Gachoki from the Pharmacy and Posions Board who was also the guest of honor.

Speaking at the function, Goodlife CEO Amaan Khalfan mentioned our unique offering in the form of a health and wellness hub with services, including testing for blood pressure, blood glucose, malaria, and vitamins, as well as other basic diagnostic procedures to meet the needs of the over 60% of Kenyans who normally visit pharmacies as their first port of call for healthcare.

“Pharmacies play a crucial role in helping East Africans access basic healthcare and we have therefore evolved and tailored our offerings beyond the traditional over-the-counter and prescription drugs. We are helping patients address most of their healthcare needs affordably through our new service offerings and partnerships with reputable third-party providers in order to eliminate unnecessary waiting times and medical consultation fees. Our offering ensures that healthcare needs are diagnosed and treated early, before they get complicated. This has created a more convenient offering for customers that is also cost effective and delivers better quality of care”, he said.

From left Dr. Daniel Karuma (Goodlife), Chris Kieu (Goodlife), Chris Getonga(Mimosa Chemist), Dr. Felix Olale (Leap Frog Investements), Dr. Kariuki Gachoka, (PPB) Amaan Khalfan (Goodlife) Justin Melvin (Goodlife), Ruth Elwak (Goodlife) and Fred Obondo (Goodlife).

The celebration highlighted our partnership with other key health players which you can now find in our stores including ,Valentis Health – Dial Daktari services which is an on- call doctor services, Essilor who offer affordable eye care through their My Vision shop, Pathologists Lancet Kenya(PLK) for laboratory services and DiaspoCare2019 who offer access and payment of medication and health services among others. This arrangement enables its customers to access a suite of services that would normally only be found in hospitals, while at the same time facilitating easier access to healthcare services. These innovative approaches are timely, especially as the public continues to grapple with high cost of healthcare in a sector that has suffered perpetual under investment in the face of a rising burden of chronic diseases.

“The dramatic increase in chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer has created a high burden on the healthcare system, especially considering that we are still grappling with infectious diseases such as HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis,” said Dr Felix Olale, Partner at LeapFrog Investments and Global Head of Healthcare Investments.

LeapFrog’s investment has enabled Goodlife Pharmacy to improve its supply chain, accelerate its store expansion, broaden its services, and increase its outreach activities into lower income communities. Mr Khalfan said the Company intends to roll out over 100 locations over the next few years across East Africa to address the need for quality access to primary healthcare.

Dr. Olale said that the government’s plan to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2022 is a welcome development. “We will only succeed if everyone comes together to play a role. Goodlife is working hard to do its part to increase convenience, improve affordability, and raise the quality of healthcare for all East Africans”.

Check out the Gallery for the same.

Goodlife Pharmacy to Offer Free Diabetes Screening Countrywide

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Nairobi, Friday November 01, 2019 … Leading East African private pharmacy chain, Goodlife Pharmacy, has rolled out free diabetes screening to the public aged 12-74 across all its 52 outlets countrywide. These tests will run throughout November to drive awareness on diabetes and the risk factors in the lead-up to the International World Diabetes Day on 14th November.

Goodlife Pharmacy has private consultation rooms, staffed with certified pharmacy practitioners to carry out the tests. Patients will receive their blood sugar results instantly and be guided about a referral or enrollment into a diabetes management program. Diabetes is one of the major non communicable diseases (NCDs), alongside hypertension, cancer, amongst others whose increased incidence is a growing cause of deaths. Industry estimates attribute about 27 per cent of deaths in Kenya to NCDs.

“In many of the chronic illnesses, a majority of patients do not become aware of the opportunistic (silent) diseases that develop as a result these chronic cases. By availing our outlets as platforms to the general public to be screened free of charge, Kenyans will have a chance to know their diabetes status so they can seek holistic management or change their lifestyles”, said Amaan Khalfan, Goodlife Pharmacy Chief Executive Officer.

Goodlife has partnered with Lancet Group of Laboratories, a leading pathology laboratory service specializing vital diagnostic, monitoring and screening testing to conduct the more specialized HBA1C – which is a form of blood test that provides information about a patient’s average levels of blood glucose over the past three months. This test is essential in diagnosing pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. It is also the primary test used for diabetes management.

“While we are only able to provide the HBA1C tests at selected outlets, we encourage the public to take the test with a simple glucometer which is available in all our outlets to know their predisposition. This is normally an important first step that everyone should undergo”, he said.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when a person’s body can no longer make insulin or use insulin. Insulin is needed for glucose (sugar) to move from the blood into muscle cells where it is used by the cells for energy. Diabetes manifests itself as Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed during childhood and is believed to be unpreventable while Type 2 diabetes occurs in adults and is generally associated with excess weight or obesity and poor diet. Recent studies show that Type 2 diabetes is now increasingly being identified in children and adolescents.

According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the known risk factors for diabetes include aging, ethnicity, family history of diabetes, previous gestational diabetes and a sedentary lifestyle. To prevent Type 2 diabetes, experts encourage patients to adopt an active, healthy lifestyle that includes a sensible, balanced diet and regular physical activity.

 

 

Make the First Day Easier

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Going back to school can be stressful for the whole family. The holidays provide a much-needed break for everyone, however, with the lack of structure, it can wreak havoc when it comes back to returning to school.

The holiday schedule and routine tends to be more relaxed and carefree with traveling, camps, and family vacations. The different change in environment from holiday to school can be a challenging transition.

If you’re stressed about the upcoming school term, check out these back-to-school tips for!

  1. Be Prepared When Transitioning Back-to-School

Start your back to school shopping ahead. Make sure you get your kids essentials, from soaps to their skincare solutions, so you are not stressed as the holiday wraps up.

Avoid scheduling camps and activities during the latter part of the holiday, you do not want to be scrambling to get things done.

  1. How Healthy Is Your Kid?

You want to make sure your kid is healthy when they go back to school, so get them checked at a Goodlife near you.

Find out what is new and what is changing. From period talk to sex talk. You don’t want your kid going back to school with some issues they might be embarrassed to bring up by themselves.

  1. Make the First Day Easier

Parents should remember that they need not wait until the first day of class to ask for help. Schools are open to addressing any concerns a parent or child might have. From any new allergies to medication issues and nutritional matters. Including the specific needs of your child when you go sit down to meet with their teacher

  1. Get them tested

Before you let your kid back in the education system, you ought to ensure that they are in tip-top condition. That includes getting their vitamins checked so if they are lacking in anything you give them the right nutritional support for when they are in school.  

The last thing you want is to be called back to school with your child sick from something that could have been tested and treated for before they went back to class. With the cold season, you might want to consider getting them and yourself a flu vaccine!

  1. Get them the right essentials!

Sadly schools, especially boarding schools are not the most hygienic places for your kids to be but they still need to learn. So what can you do to ensure your child maintains their hygiene? Well, you can start by getting them some hand sanitizers and wet wipes for when they are on the go. The last thing you want is for your daughter to run out her female essentials mid-term so ensure she has enough tampons or sanitary pads for the school term. Getting some nutritional supplements is also a good idea to ensure they keep up with nutritional needs as they are still in the growing ages.

If your kids are going back to boarding school, then you should make sure they have everything they need. You want to ensure they stay healthy throughout the school term and maintain their hygiene. Visit a Goodlife near you for your back to school shopping.

 

 

Travel Essentials

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Travelling can be a lot of fun. But it can also be a terrible experience with some missing essentials in your suitcase. Trying to fit everything in your bag might seem impossible but there just something you don’t want to be on the road without. So here are a few travel essentials tips for your next adventure. 

Toiletries

Just coz you are out of the city doesn’t mean you play it easy with your hygiene.  From your scented soaps to toothbrushes and wet wipes, you’ll need it all for your next adventure. Travelling to new areas might mean that you won’t have access to some of the products you are already used to such as tampons and pads so make sure you pack a few before heading out.

Insect Repellant

Camping out in the wilderness means camping out with all those mosquitoes and bigs you fight off in your bedroom. An insect repellant from Goodlife will come in handy when you are trying to become one with nature.

Sunscreen

Planning a trip to the beach, or maybe your off o see the sand dunes of Dubai. Then you don’t want to come back home with sunburns all over. Take care of your skin under the sun with some sunscreen from Goodlife. 

 Hand Sanitizer

Travel exposes you to so many awful germs. You may end up not having access to clean water to wash your hands but having hand sanitizer will help you keeping the germs at bay so your trip doesn’t get ruined by any illnesses

Probiotics

When travelling, of course, you’re going to be sampling food that you wouldn’t normally eat at home. Sometimes all of that new food can really mess with our digestive systems. If this happens to you, try to invest in a good probiotic though check with your doctor for additional recommendations.

Sun Glasses

Basking in the sun on your vacation doesn’t mean putting your eyes against the sun. Take care of them by packing your sunnies in your carry-on bag because coz you’ll want to put them on as soon as you get to your destination

So next time you looking to take a trip by yourself or with the family, pass by your nearest Goodlife store and get your travelling essentials in one stop.

Fight The Flu

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As cold rolls into town, so does the flue and all its miserable symptoms. Yet, doctors and women alike have long noticed that men tend to bemoan those symptoms more than women. The phenomenon even has a name, the “man flu.”

So, are men just whiny wimps? According to analysis out of Canada, the answer is no, because respiratory illnesses may indeed hit men harder than women.

A study author Dr Kyle Sue, a clinical assistant professor in family medicine with the Health Sciences Centre at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, indicates there are already many physiologic differences between men and women, so it makes sense that we could differ in our responses to cold and flu viruses as well.

So what can you do this cold season for preventive measures against the common cold?

  • A flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu.
  • Wash your hands frequently during the flu season. You may use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rinse. You can get alcohol rinses available at all our pharmacies. Remember to wash your hands for 20 seconds.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Viruses are often spread after a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick. If your coworker is ill, steer clear of his or her sneezes and coughs. When possible, avoid shaking hands with someone who is ill with a cold. If you are caring for an ill family member, wash your hands frequently and minimize proximity to his or her face.
  • Cover your mouth or tuck it into your elbow when coughing or sneezing and encourage others to do so. Wash your hands afterwards.
  • Stay home if you have a respiratory infection when A general guideline is to stay home 24 hours
  • Get enough sleep and avoid getting “run down”.

Nothing can cure a cold, but that doesn’t mean you have to be miserable, there are some remedies that might help ease your symptoms and keep you from feeling so miserable. If you catch a cold, you can expect to be sick for one to two weeks. Besides getting enough rest, these remedies might help you feel better:

  • Stay hydrated. Water, orange juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. Avoid alcohol, coffee and caffeinated sodas, which can make dehydration worse.
  • Your body needs to heal.
  • Soothe a sore throat.
    A saltwater gargle — 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in a glass of warm water can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat. You can also try, sore throat sprays, lozenges.
  • Combat stuffiness.
    Over-the-counter saline nasal drops and sprays can help relieve stuffiness and congestion.
  • Sip warm liquids.
    A cold remedy used in many cultures, taking in warm liquids, such as chicken soup, tea, or warm apple juice, might be soothing and might ease congestion by increasing mucus flow.
  • Add moisture to the air.
    A cool mist vaporizer or humidifier can add moisture to your home, which might help loosen congestion. Change the water daily, and clean the unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t use steam, which hasn’t been shown to help and may cause burns.
  • Try over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough medications.
    For adults and children older than 5, OTC decongestants, antihistamines and pain relievers might offer some symptom relief. However, they won’t prevent a cold or shorten its duration. Overuse and misuse of these medications can cause serious damage.Take medications only as directed. Some cold remedies contain multiple ingredients, such as a decongestant plus a pain reliever, so read the labels of cold medications you take to make sure you’re not taking too much of any medication.

So if you feel like you coming down with a cold, walk into your nearest Goodlife pharmacy coz we go the right thing to keep ease your symptoms.

Just For The Health Of It

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We all know that it’s common for men to skip the doctor until they become sick, injure themselves or are faced with a serious health problem. And a majority of men will postpone seeking care for a few days to see whether they feel any better. It’s the whole “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” line of thinking.

But there are steps the men in your life can take today to improve their vitality and help prevent health problems down the road. Of course, there are some things that can’t be changed, such as family history and age, but everyday choices can have a big impact on their current and future health.

Offer the men in your life the following tips for staying healthy:

 

Get routine health checkups, screenings and don’t forget dental exams. Just because you’re healthy doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Going to your health care provider for regular checkups could just save your life. By keeping up with these appointments, your health care provider can make sure you stay up-to-date with immunizations, yes, they’re for adults, too! and important preventive health screenings. It also gives you a chance to talk about any health concerns or changes you’ve noticed. Make sure to talk with your health care provider about your family medical history and ask which screenings you might need. You can walk into a Goodlife pharmacy today an get your BMI, blood pressure, vitamin and blood sugar checked for free.

Certain cancers depending on risk factors, including your age and family history

Depression: Did you know men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women, which is thought to be due to under-diagnosed depression?

 

And, if you’re like most people, you dread going to the dentist, but add that to your “to do” list. Dental exams aren’t just important for your teeth and gums; your mouth may also be a red flag for other health conditions. You can also get your oral solutions at any goodlife pharmacy to keep you oral healthy.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Eating a diet that’s low in fat,cholesterol, and salt, and packed with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and fiber can help improve your health, prevent heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers.

Get moving. Try to get 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week. Taking a walk, jogging, swimming and mowing the lawn all count. But don’t be a weekend sports warrior. Start slowly if you aren’t normally active and gradually build up. Talk to your doctor about the right exercise program for you.

Lose the gut for good. It’s important to maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight, especially around the waist, can be hard on your body. Carrying too much body fat forces your heart to work harder and increases your chances of heart disease and stroke, even if you have no other risk factors! So, try to curb weight gain as you age.

Drink alcohol in moderation. If you drink alcohol, limit your consumption to no more than two drinks per day. )

Don’t use tobacco. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals and is a known cause of cancer. Smoking also increases the likelihood of high blood pressure, heart disease, lung problems and other health problems. And if you think chewing tobacco is safer, think again. Not only is chewing tobacco a known cause of cancer, it also contributes to gum disease and tooth loss and may be linked to fertility problems. If you smoke or chew, talk to your health care professional about ways to quit. Consider nicotine replacement therapy products that include self-help programs, if appropriate.

Learn to manage stress. Many men define themselves by their careers, which can raise stress levels. Over time, stress can take a toll on your emotional and physical health. Notice early warning signs of stress, such as irritability, tension in your shoulders and neck, grinding your teeth or clenching your hands into fists, and find healthy ways to de-stress.

Talk to family and friends about how they can help you integrate these tips into your everyday life and stick with them.

 

Symptoms of Food Allergies in Babies

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Starting to feed a baby solid foods is an exciting moment for parents. However, it comes with a lot of questions and concerns, especially about food allergies. What are the symptoms? What foods are most likely to cause allergies in babies? How do you avoid them?

Symptoms of Food Allergies

Food allergy symptoms usually appear almost immediately or after a short time after the food is eaten. These include:

    • Hives or welts- An outbreak of swollen, pale red bumps or plaques on the skin that appear suddenly.
    • Flushed skin or rash- An abnormal change in skin colour or texture. There are many types of rashes, including eczema.
    • Face, tongue, or lip swelling
    • Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
    • Coughing or wheezing- breathing with a whistling or rattling sound in the chest.
    • Difficulty breathing

 

Severe allergic reactions can be fatal very quickly. If your baby is having trouble breathing/wheezing, has swelling on her face/lips, or develops severe vomiting or diarrhoea after eating, seek medical attention immediately.

Did you know that it is possible for babies to have allergic reactions to foods before they start eating them? This is because they can develop allergies to the foods that their mother eats, through breastfeeding.

These are the most common allergenic foods for babies:

  • Milk
  • Egg
  • Peanuts
  • Tree nuts (such as walnuts or almonds)
  • Fish
  • Shellfish
  • Soy
  • Wheat

 

Breastfeeding your baby for 4-6 months is the best way to prevent a milk allergy. Breast milk or formula is higher in nutrition. Introducing whole milk should be done under a doctor’s advice. Further, it’s most important to introduce a baby to new foods gradually in case of food allergies. Bringing in new foods into the diet one by one is most recommended by doctors.

Remember, just because a baby’s initial allergic reaction to a new food may be mild, it may get worse upon following exposures. Talk to your paediatrician about any food allergy symptoms in your baby.