KEMRI Team Enhances Skills in Evidence Synthesis at Africa CDC Workshop in Ethiopia.

From August 14th to 16th, 2024, KEMRI’s Knowledge Management team facilitated a crucial three-day training workshop on Evidence Synthesis for Public Health Decision Making in Bishoftu, Ethiopia. This event, organized by the Africa CDC Division of Health Economics and Financing in collaboration with the Centres of Science and Innovation, DCP, and supported by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, was aimed at bolstering the continent’s response to public health challenges.

The workshop was led by renowned facilitators, Prof. Charles Obonyo and Ms. Lilian Mayieka, who guided participants through essential aspects of evidence synthesis. The training was particularly relevant in light of the recent Mpox emergency declaration, which has underscored the need for robust evidence-based decisionmaking in public health.

Africa CDC, recognizing the critical role of evidence synthesis in combating the Mpox pandemic, emphasized the importance of this training. Participants were equipped with skills in systematic evidence search, critical appraisal of evidence, conducting systematic reviews, and contextualizing findings to inform public health strategies. The workshop was successful in enhancing the capacity of Africa CDC technical staff, including the KEMRI team, to contribute effectively to public health decisions across Africa. This training aligns with the urgent need for informed solutions to tackle the Mpox pandemic and other emerging public health threats on the continent.