Curtains Fall on Successful 14TH KASH Jamboree

The curtains came down on the 14th KASH Conference marking the end of four days filled with a cocktail of colorful scientific sessions under the theme dubbed Harnessing Biomedical Research Innovations and Big Data for Health System Resilience, Local Manufacturing and Commercialization.

The conference held between 13th – 16th February 2024 at the Safari Park Hotel and officially opened by the Ministry of Health, Cabinet Secretary, Nakhumicha S. Wafula, attracted over 700 delegates drawn from various institutions in the health sectors including research scientists, health professionals, health policy makers and students with an aim to disseminate, discuss and deliberate on various scientific outputs in the country and region. The conference also included abstracts from countries such as Netherlands, United States, Germany, Ghana and Tanzania solidifying KASH’s status as an international conference.

“Over the last four days, starting from the first unique pre-conference, we have had interesting cross-cutting talks, let us carry forward the resolutions we have made to build a more resilient healthcare system,” said Dr. Cecilia Mbae.

Some of the resolutions that emanated from the discussions included: the MoH should continually demand research outputs and champion for use of the same, build effective partnerships from implementation, County Governments and County health departments to conceptualize and accelerate uptake, dissemination, implementing and monitoring of recommendations, KEMRI Scientific Programmes, Centres and clusters to coordinate while the Knowledge Management Department should collate and disseminate the research outputs and KEMRI Board of Directors and management to discuss funding of studies that have innovations and potential for commercialization.

In his remarks, the Ag. Director General, Prof. Elijah Songok expressed his enthusiasm on the high value abstracts and presenters and the crowd the conference continues to pull thus, “even during COVID, you were here, and you are the reason why we continue to grow, I am especially pleased by the quality of abstracts presented each year…let us continue to carry out research that is responsive and progressive for the people of Kenya.”

On his part, the chairman of the KEMRI Board of Directors, Dr. Abdullahi Ali highlighted the key role the conference plays in information dissemination and urged the researchers to do it with more intent. “As the scientific Community, you are doing a lot of great work to enhance our communities are well, however, I note that most of this information is not readily available to the common mwananchi and I believe it is time that you embrace the value of communication and incorporate it in your research to bridge the existing information gap between you and the communities you diligently work to protect,” encouraged Dr. Abdullahi.

The closing ceremony culminated with an award ceremony for the best scientific presenters under each sub theme, poster presentations and the Raising Star Scientific Award.

In addition, scientists who were due for retirement were also recognized. “As the research and development directorate, we have decided to accord recognition to the retiring scientist from this year as an appreciation for the work they have and their indelible contribution to science,” stated the Ag. Director Research and Development, Dr, Nelly Mugo. Veteran Research Scientist and former KASH Chairpersons, Prof. Charles Mbogo, Prof. Jennifer Orwa and Dr. Pauline Mwinzi all received accolades for service and leadership rendered to KASH over the years.

Senior Research Scientists Dr. Festus Tolo, Phillip Ndewa, Lawrence Thiong’o and Merab Odera and Clinical Research Scientists, Dr. Hudson Lodenyo and Benard Mwangangi were also among those awarded.

After four days of splendid exposition, all participants were in agreement that the KASH Conference continues to be a resounding success every year and a hallmark of the great work being done across all the Institute’s Centres and with the current collaborations and presents delegates with the opportunity to network across borders.