The government has issued a resounding call to address critical healthcare challenges through innovative solutions and collaborative efforts at the 14th Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Annual Scientific and Health (KASH) Conference in Nairobi.

Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Susan Nakhumicha, emphasized the imperative to translate research outcomes into tangible health products for the benefit of communities. She stated, “We need to harness biomedical research innovations and big data for health system resilience, local manufacturing, and commercialization.”

The conference, themed “Harnessing Biomedical Research Innovations and Big Data for Health System Resilience, Local Manufacturing and Commercialization,” signifies a significant milestone in advancing healthcare innovation and research across the region. The CS’s call to action echoes the focus on regional biopharmaceutical and medtech innovation, emphasizing the urgency to address pressing healthcare challenges.

Celebrating KEMRI’s achievements, the Health CS lauded the institute’s recognition as Kenya’s premier health research institution and its global impact through groundbreaking studies. Notably, the recommendation by the World Health Organization for the use of the RTS, S/AS01 malaria vaccine underscores KEMRI’s commitment to excellence in research and its contribution to combating pressing health challenges.