KEMRI and CDC Reinforce 45-Year Partnership, Set New Research Priorities.

Last week, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) hosted a significant visit from the Director of the Global Health Center at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Kayla Laserson, marking a key moment in the longstanding collaboration between the two institutions. The meeting, held at KEMRI Headquarters in Nairobi, was a follow-up to the recent renewal of their five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in Atlanta, Georgia, which sets the stage for new research and scientific priorities.

The Acting Director General of KEMRI, Prof. Elijah Songok, warmly welcomed Dr. Laserson and her team, describing her visit as a “homecoming.” Dr. Laserson had previously served as the CDC Director at KEMRI’s Center for Global Health Research in Kisumu and was returning to Kenya, seven years after her last assignment.

Prof. Songok emphasized the significance of the CDCKEMRI partnership, which he described as the “spine” of KEMRI’s collaborations, noting that the relationship has spanned over four decades and brought immense benefits, including access to advanced equipment, capacity building, and numerous scientific publications.

Prof. Songok highlighted the importance of the collaboration in enabling KEMRI to compete directly for funding, thanks to the enhanced human resource and infrastructure capacity developed through the partnership. He also noted that KEMRI has made substantial reforms to address previous challenges, particularly in grants management, and expressed optimism about the opportunities presented by the new MoU. “KEMRI is excited about the new MoU and hopes it will open up new areas of research,” he said, adding that the greatest pride lies in the Institute’s scientists who have increasingly secured grants and produced impactful research.

Dr. Laserson, in her remarks, expressed enthusiasm about the ongoing collaboration and the need to explore new opportunities while strengthening existing initiatives. She underscored the global impact of the joint efforts between KEMRI and the Ministry of Health, noting that their work has significantly influenced CDC’s global health strategies. “The work KEMRI and the Ministry of Health (MoH) have done has informed us how we at CDC think about global health worldwide,” she stated, highlighting the partnership’s role in shaping global health policies.

She further outlined CDC’s commitment to stopping health threats at their source and praised the partnership for building capabilities such as advanced laboratories and a well-trained workforce, which have been crucial in combating diseases like HIV, malaria, and in boosting immunization efforts. Dr. Laserson also expressed interest in supporting KEMRI’s newly restructured grant system, recognizing its potential to further enhance research capabilities.

The CDC team emphasized the importance of operationalizing the MoU in alignment with the Global Health Strategic Framework and Kenya’s Ministry of Health priorities. They acknowledged significant advancements in science and infectious disease control achieved through the partnership, including impacts on World Health Organization guidelines.

The meeting concluded with a shared optimism about the future, as both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to improving health outcomes and advancing public health research. Key focus areas include ensuring a trained workforce, supporting local and regional manufacturing, pioneering cutting-edge research, and investing in innovative digital health strategies.

This gathering marks a continued dedication to an enduring and evolving partnership, reinforcing KEMRI and CDC’s shared mission to drive global health forward.