Nairobi, Kenya info@eaostomyassociation.org
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About EACOA

Kenya Uganda Tanzania Rwanda Burundi S. Sudan ESTABLISHED 2026 EACOA — East Africa Community Ostomy Association
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Who We Are

The East Africa Community Ostomy Association

"Let's work together to give hope to the hopeless and become a voice to the voiceless."

Dr. Alex Mushabe, Chairman — EACOA

The East Africa Community Ostomy Association (EACOA) is a regional non-governmental organisation bringing together ostomy associations, support groups, healthcare professionals, and advocates across East Africa to improve the quality of life of people living with a stoma.

We work closely with healthcare providers, governments, and partners to strengthen ostomy care, reduce stigma, and ensure that every person living with an ostomy across the region lives with dignity, access to healthcare, and community support.

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Our Direction

Mission, Vision & Values

Our Mission

To improve the quality of life of ostomates in East Africa through advocacy, education, collaboration, and improved access to care.

Our Vision

An East Africa where every person living with an ostomy lives with dignity, access to healthcare, and community support.

Core Values

Equity & Inclusion

Every ostomate deserves equal access to care, support, and dignity regardless of country, background, or circumstance.

Collaboration

We build strong partnerships across countries, organisations, and healthcare systems to maximise our collective impact.

Patient Empowerment

We put patients at the centre of everything we do, empowering them with knowledge, community, and self-advocacy skills.

Awareness & Education

We combat stigma and misinformation through targeted education campaigns, training, and public awareness initiatives.

Access to Care

We advocate tirelessly for affordable ostomy supplies and trained stoma care professionals in every East African country.

Dignity & Compassion

We approach every interaction with deep compassion, ensuring that no person living with a stoma ever feels ashamed or alone.

Our Story

Why EACOA Was Created

Across East Africa, many people living with an ostomy face serious challenges that affect their health, dignity, and quality of life. In many communities, awareness about ostomy care is still limited, and patients often struggle to access essential supplies, trained healthcare professionals, and reliable support systems.

For a long time, individual organisations and patient support groups in different countries have been working independently to assist ostomates. While these efforts have made a significant difference, there has been a clear need for a regional platform that brings these voices together and strengthens collaboration across borders.

The East Africa Community Ostomy Association (EACOA) was created to respond to this need — to unite ostomy associations, support groups, healthcare providers, and advocates within the East African region so they can work together toward common goals.

Meet Our Leadership

Key Challenges EACOA Addresses

Limited access to affordable ostomy supplies across the region

Lack of trained stoma care professionals in many East African countries

Low public awareness and persistent stigma around ostomy conditions

Limited patient education and peer support networks for ostomates

Need for stronger advocacy within healthcare systems and government policy

Fragmented efforts between national associations working in isolation

Our goal: To ensure that no ostomate in East Africa feels alone and that every person living with a stoma has the opportunity to live a healthy and dignified life.

What We Do

How We Support Ostomates

Patient Support

Patient Support & Community

We connect ostomates across East Africa with peer support networks, resources, and communities so no one faces their journey alone.

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Healthcare Training

Healthcare Professional Training

We partner with hospitals and institutions to train stoma care nurses and improve the standard of ostomy-related medical care across the region.

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Advocacy

Regional Advocacy & Policy

We engage governments, NGOs, and international bodies to advocate for better policies, reduced stigma, and improved access to ostomy care.

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Our Leadership

The People Behind EACOA

Dr. Alex Mushabe

Chairman, EACOA • Director, Ostomy Association of Uganda

A passionate advocate for people living with ostomies in East Africa, Dr. Mushabe's journey began after encountering many people living with stomas without support or access to essential appliances. He committed his life to advocating for dignity, healthcare access, and social inclusion for ostomy patients.

Lilian Ruguru Njogu

Treasurer, EACOA • Program Manager, Stoma World Kenya

A caregiver to her husband (an ostomate) for 15 years, and herself a colorectal cancer survivor and ostomate since 2022, Lilian brings firsthand understanding of the challenges ostomates face. She is dedicated to early screening, access to care, and the emotional wellbeing of patients.

Meet The Full Leadership Team
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EACOA

East Africa Community Ostomy Association — uniting ostomates across East Africa through support, advocacy, and empowerment. Est. 2026.

Contact

Nairobi, Kenya

+256 772 822118

info@eaostomyassociation.org

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Designed for EACOA — Est. 2026