9th May 2023
In Kenya, there has been a growing interest in Personalised Medicine (PM) as the country strives to improve healthcare outcomes for its citizens. The medical models holds much promise for disease prevention and treatment and in Kenya PM has several potential benefits such as the ability to identify individuals who are at a higher risk for certain diseases, and to provide targeted treatments that are more effective and have fewer side effects. However, there are challenges to the implementation of PM in the country. While PM has the potential to improve healthcare outcomes in Kenya, it will require investment in infrastructure and capacity to fully realize its benefits.
Building on the efforts and successes of the EU-Africa PerMed project to integrate African countries in the global PM research agenda and conversations, partners – the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) and the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) – recently brought together stakeholders virtually to discuss the PM Agenda in Kenya. Specifically, the round table webinar explored PM as a catalyst to improve health outcomes in the country, and opportunities and lessons from implementation.
Dr. Evelyn Gitau – Director of Research and Related Capacity Strengthening Division at APHRC moderated the webinar and four experts drove discussion as follows:
- Dr. Rabia Mukadam – Molecular Scientist currently heading the Molecular Department of Pathologists, Lancet Kenya
- Dr. Damaris Matoke-Muhia – Principal Research Scientist and Ag. Deputy Director Biotechnology Research Programme, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
- Dr. Anne Mwirigi – Consultant Haematologist, Aga Khan Hospital
- Dr. George Ngondi Michuki– Founder and CEO of the Africa Genomics Centre and Consultancy Company
The webinar was held against the backdrop of the growing burden of non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Kenya and as one of the activities leading to the culmination of APHRC’s 20-year milestone that will be celebrated with a grand finale event between May 23 – 24, 2023 at the Center’s Campus in Nairobi, Kenya.
The recording of the webinar is available in the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/QC6cNvWF-0jRwd8tM0UH7LNe7_KcvWC4S-W2iGuKj3WQjrHalokY6s5c3Bsl6f3V.YjVoOM98L3w3HLB1