Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has launched a series of transformative initiatives aimed at advancing healthcare research and innovation. The announcements were made at the official opening of the 15th KEMRI Annual Scientific & Health (KASH) Conference, which began today at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi.
Themed “Research, Technology and Innovation for a Sustainable Health System,” the four-day event brings together scientists, policy makers and health professionals to discuss the latest advances in medical research. Key topics include digital health, artificial intelligence in medicine, and emerging diseases, all aimed at improving public health through innovation and collaboration.
During the opening session, KEMRI Acting Director General Prof. Elijah Songok introduced several groundbreaking projects, including the KEMRI Precision Medicine Center of Excellence (PM CoE) and the Precision Medicine Society. These initiatives are expected to revolutionize medical research and patient care by promoting personalized treatment approaches.
“We are also launching the Kenya Task Force – Think Tank, which will promote thought leadership and collaboration in the field of precision medicine,” said Prof. Songok. “This is an important step in advancing personalized medicine in Kenya.”
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Another major highlight was the unveiling of KEMRI’s Strategic Plan 2023-2027, which outlines six key priority areas: research for human health, disease surveillance, innovation, capacity building, financial sustainability, and institutional strengthening.
“This plan is aligned with key global and national frameworks, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Kenya Vision 2030, and the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA),” said Prof. Songok.
He also emphasized the critical role of partnerships in advancing research and innovation. “KEMRI’s success is deeply rooted in strategic collaborations. We value our partners who continue to support our mission to improve health outcomes,” he emphasized.
Beyond research, KEMRI advocates for the Social Health Authority (SHA) to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for all Kenyans. “The SHA initiative is critical to achieving universal health coverage and we urge all stakeholders to support its implementation,” said Prof. Songok.
Dr. Abdullahi Ali, Chairman of KEMRI’s Board of Directors, emphasized the need to align research with global health priorities. He acknowledged that scientific advances have significantly reduced maternal and child mortality rates, but emerging challenges such as aging populations, changing disease patterns and environmental changes require urgent attention.
“We must invest in research, capacity-building and international cooperation to address these evolving health threats,” said Dr. Ali. He reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to supporting KEMRI’s researchers and scientists, recognizing them as key drivers of medical innovation.
