This is a list of all Kenya Medical Research Institute research programmes. KEMRI is a state corporation which was established through the Science and Technology (Amendment) Act of 1979. The act has however been amended to Science, Technology and Innovation Act 2013. KEMRI’s key mission is to improve human health and quality of life through research, capacity building, innovation and service delivery. KEMRI has collaborated with several international organisations like World Health Organisation, JICA, USAID, British Medical Research Council e.t.c. KEMRI headquarters are located in Nairobi, off Mbagathi Road.
KEMRI has six main research programmes which are aligned to the KEMRI Strategic Master Plan and vision 2030. Here is a list of all the research programmes.
1.Biotechnology Research Programme
The aim of this research is to promote and apply biotechnology for the discovery and development of strategies and tools for use in healthcare. Flagship project areas include vaccine development, diagnostics, genetic engineering and bioinformatics.
2.Non-Communicable Diseases Research Programme
The programme’s agenda is to conduct basic, clinical, operational, implementation and applied research in all matters and areas related to non-communicable diseases. Flagship project areas include lifestyle diseases, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, drug and substance abuse, road accidents, occupational injuries and mental health.
3.Public Health and Health Systems Research Programme
It aims to conduct research in biostatistics, multidisciplinary epidemiology, environment, dental population, nutrition, health systems and policies. Flagship project areas include epidemiology, behavioural and social sciences, nutrition, occupational/environmental health, health care financing, governance, oral health, leadership and service delivery.
4.Natural Products Research and Drug Development
It is a vision 2030 flagship project. The purpose of the programme is to identify and develop effective traditional/alternative medicines and drugs for use against human diseases. Flagship project areas include traditional medicine, conventional medicine and alternative medicine.
5.Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Research Programme
It initially started as an Infectious Diseases Research Programme in 2006, with the parasitic arm being included in 2011. The key role of this programme is to coordinate research on infectious and parasitic diseases. The research programme focuses on the following areas; virology, bacteriology, mycology, helminthology, zoonotic diseases and neglected tropical diseases.
6.Sexual, Reproductive, Adolescent and Child Health Programme
The programme’s aim is to conduct basic, clinical, operational, implementation and applied research in all matter related to sexual, reproductive, adolescent and child health. Flagship project areas include child health, maternal health, adolescent health, STI’s, gender-based violence, infertility, sexual dysfunction, family planning, harmful traditional practices, ageing, sexual and reproductive health, gender and human rights.
