KEMRI’s 14th KASH Conference officially kicks off

The CS Ministry of Health, Nakhumicha S. Wafula officially opened the 14^th KEMRI Annual Scientific Conference on 13^th February 2024 kick starting one of the most important scientific events in the Institute’s and Country’s calendar.

In her remarks opening remarks of the conference, the CS noted the pivotal role that KASH Conference plays in propelling the health agenda, “The collaborations forged and knowledge shared during these sessions will undoubtedly propel us toward a future where health security is not just an aspiration but a tangible reality, she elucidated.

On his part the Board Chair Dr. Abdullahi Ali expressed his enthusiasm on the gains and impact that the KASH Conference has made over the last 14 years, ” The success of this conference, is a testimony that the KEMRI fraternity has continued to grow in our research and development portfolio, as well as in service delivery, I have no doubt that the resolutions from this conference will no doubt provide solutions for the health challenges we face,” he animated.

This year’s KASH is marked by a unique pre-conference session that took on an innovative dive into medical manufacturing, setting the stage for our main discussions.

Director General Prof. Elijah Songok articulated the institute’s groundbreaking approach, underscoring the link between research outputs and the transformation of healthcare innovations into commercially viable products and technologies. “KEMRI has consistently been at the forefront of advancing disease diagnosis, treatment, and management. Our unwavering commitment to product development, innovative technologies, rigorous clinical trials, and service provision, has made a substantial impact on enhancing of healthcare outcomes,” stated Prof Songok.

Prof. Songok further highlighted the institute’s continuous efforts to bridge the gap between research and tangible solutions, emphasizing the significance of turning scientific discoveries into practical applications that positively impact healthcare on a broader scale. KEMRI’s holistic approach encompasses not only the generation of knowledge but also the translation of that knowledge into real-world solutions that benefit communities and contribute to the broader healthcare landscape

The KASH committee chair Dr. Cecilia Mbae emphasized that the KASH 2024 promises an array of scientific content and a myriad of networking opportunities. “We look forward to the deliberations of this conference that will plug into the Government’s commitment to promoting local manufacturing and Universal Health Care (UHC),” she said.

This year the conference has attracted over 30 key industry exhibitors and 364 abstract submissions, an increase from 253 abstracts submitted last year. The conference features 243 abstracts presented in 27 parallel oral sessions and 77 poster presentations, one keynote address, ten plenary sessions, one panel discussion and ten symposiums.

During the opening ceremony, the CS flanked by Chair Dr. Abdullahi Ali and DG Prof. Elijah Songok, officially premiered the KEMRI 2024 documentary with pomp and colour. The Documentary highlights the strides we’ve made in keeping the promise of research that advances and protects the health and interests of our communities, plugging into the country’s vision for Universal Health Coverage. The documentary will soon be aired in the mainstream media to share with the public the milestones and strides the institute has made thus far.