The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have renewed their MoU to continue partnering and enhance collaborative activities in cutting-edge research on a reciprocal basis.
The signing was done by KEMRI Acting CEO Prof. Elijah Songok and the CDC Global Health Director, Dr Kayla Laseron in the presence of President William Ruto in his week long state visit to the US.
“This collaboration will encompass human health research and program implementation at KEMRI facilities and in Kenyan communities, research and capacity building for public health threats and emergencies, dissemination and application of research findings for policy formulation, training of public health professionals, strengthening research leadership and laboratory capabilities,” said Prof. Songok.
He said that staff exchanges, sharing of research information and materials in accordance with Kenyan laws, as well as any other mutually beneficial health-related research activities will also manifest from the renewed pact.
Prof. Songok noted that the visit to the US Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta reaffirms the invaluable contribution of the CDC in Kenya’s health security especially in the area of disease surveillance.
“Our collaboration with the US CDC has been instrumental including supporting our Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) to conducting sentinel surveillance for acute febrile illnesses, among other key areas. CDC has supported the Government of Kenya and local and international partners in efforts to strengthen diseases research strategies, prevention and control of HIV and TB besides providing technical and financial support through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR),” added the KEMRI CEO.
Songok said the more than four decades of Transformational Health partnership between the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) through the MOU will facelift the research works and various health initiatives of the research institute that contributes heavily in shaping the country’s health sector.
The renewed partnership revolves around cutting-edge research to answer the most important public health questions of the current times including the launch of Applied Science Hub.
“This visit would not have come at a better time than now when the world is negotiating amendments to International Health Regulations of 2005 and the New Pandemic Treaty to build consensus on how to coordinate prevention, detection and response to infectious disease threats that know no boundary,” said Health CS, Susan Wafula.
The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is a significant step towards developing a sustainability roadmap for Kenya’s HIV Programme.
“Additionally, the joint proclamation for the operationalisation of the Kenya National Public Health Institute at the CDC Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, is a commendable effort in strengthening public health infrastructure and collaboration,” noted the Health CS.
