Theme: Towards A Healthy, Globally Competitive Nation: Vision 2030 Flagships

Dr. Edwin Muinga Chokwe, HSC,
Chairman, KEMRI Board of Management

Attaining Kenya Vision 2030, the nation's economic blueprint, requires a fresh perspective in the way we perceive research and KEMRI's role in national development. The link between health and poverty is self evident as each impacts the other resulting in a vicious cycle where poor health is both a result and a cause of poverty.

This conference therefore serves to showcase excellence in research as the bedrock of this theme. Two major ground breaking research results emanating from research carried out by KEMRI and our collaborators have recently been listed among the top 10 technological breakthroughs of the year by the journal Science. This includes the phase III clinical trial results of the candidate malaria vaccine RTSS, which reported 56 percent and 47 percent efficacy in the prevention of clinical and severe malaria in children respectively. The multicentre trial was conducted in 11 sites across 7 African countries, in which KEMRI played a significant role, having hosted 3 of the 11 sites at the KEMRI/CDC Research and Public Health Collaboration in Kisumu, the KEMRI-Wellcome-Trust Research Programme in Kilifi and the KEMRI/Walter Reed Project site at Kombewa.

The other major breakthrough in which KEMRI has been involved is the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) multinational clinical study, HPTN 052, which demonstrated reduction of HIV transmission in serodiscordant couples through the early treatment of HIV using ARVs by an astounding 96 percent. Both studies have served to inform policy and revitalize the fight against the scourge of these diseases not just in Kenya but the world over.

Additionally, KEMRI remains committed to the national and WHO roadmaps for the control and elimination of 10 of the 17 neglected tropical diseases by the year 2020. Significant advances have been made on this front with results emanating from DNDi, of which KEMRI is both a founding member and partner through CCR, have informed the WHO recommendation of paramomycin-sodium

 stibogluconate (PM-SSG) drug combination as the first line treatment for visceral leishmaniasis in east Africa.

Further to the excellent research coming out of KEMRI, the conference also highlighted special areas of public health interest through dedicated symposia focusing on road safety, neglected tropical diseases, bioethics, health systems and social sciences research, all addressing aspects of health and human/social development.

For the first time, a symposium on pharmaceutical and health products innovation, focusing solely on the business of the science addressed aspects of knowledge economy and industrialization.

Dr. Solomon Mpoke, PhD, MBS,
Director, KEMRI