CSR Initiative Reaffirms KEMRI as a True Champion Of Community Health

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) on Saturday, 31st May 2025 pitched camp at Freedom Embassy Church, Nairobi County in a show of its commitment to community health through a medical camp.

In collaboration with the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), MobiLab Africa Limited and External Excellencies Global Foundation, KEMRI played a key role and contributed immensely to the impactful outcome of the event organized to reach out to the community through medicine and available healthcare services.

Dubbed ‘South B Community Medical Camp’, the event attracted a total of 921 participants who turned up to benefit from the diverse range of medical services and assistance offered at the venue. The KEMRI team, from the Cancer Registry and domiciled at the Institute’s Centre for Clinical Research (CCR), in particular conducted screening for breast, cervical and prostate cancer through clinical breast examinations, papsmear and Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) tests.

Led by the Head, Cancer Registry at KEMRI, Dr. Anne Korir, the KEMRI team and partners were stationed at strategic sites of the attendees’ flow system and dispensed services synchronically, from the initial point of registration through triage, consultation desk, laboratory, pharmacy and the KEMRI mobile clinic where warm reception and professional attention awaited those who satisfied the assessment for screening at the triage. With a structured system and concentration of healthcare professionals with nothing but focus on a common objective, the process was fast, smooth and effective.

During the event, 127 clients visited the KEMRI mobile clinic for breast examination and papsmear, with those found with breast lumps, suspicious lesions or inflamed cervix (cervicitis) provided with referral mechanisms to established medical facilities for comprehensive, special attention.

The event was graced by notable figures, who unanimously lauded the initiative for positive impact on community health. Speaking during the closing ceremony, the chairperson, BCLB, Rev. Dr. Jane Mwikali Makau, showered praises to the sponsors, organizers and facilitators for the success of the programme.

“To KEMRI, and the Ministry of Health, the dedicated medical professionals from the county government of Nairobi and from different hospitals, thank you for an excellence service, medical expertise and compassionate care. Your work saves lives, restores dignity and builds healthier communities”, She remarked.

Additionally, she expressed the government’s commitment to collaborative models that abridge the wellbeing of the people, noting that the government stands firmly in support of initiatives that integrate faith, health, innovation and community service, urging government institutions and private sectors to work together for the betterment of the community.

Giving remarks on behalf of KEMRI’s Ag. DG Prof Elijah Songok and the KEMRI team lead at the camp Dr. Anne Korir, Dr. Felix Sikuta said, “We are grateful for the collaboration and participation in this medical camp. KEMRI encourages these kinds of collaborations on Corporate Social Responsibility for the benefit of the community”, adding “Efforts such as these (screening) ensure we are able to manage some conditions earlier enough before they get complicated”. Dr. Sikuta also pointed out KEMRI’s enthusiasm about future interactions of the same nature, reiterating the Institute’s openness to cross-institutional collaborations, a backbone to its mandate.

Also going on at the medical was the SHA registration drive, which at the time of the closing ceremony the figure stood at 168 new registrations. As a fulfilment to a promise given during mobilization for the medical camp, 10 free SHA registration sponsorships to needy cases as recommended by the doctors were awarded, fully paid for 1 year by the medical camp team.

The event climaxed on a high note, denoted by awarding of the certificates to the medical professionals, organizers and sponsors, which saw KEMRI and the Ag. DG Prof Songok too awarded for his leadership and consequent contribution to the success of the camp.