Actualités

AFIDEP at the 11th KEMRI Annual Scientific Health Conference

7 juin 2021

Author: Ann Waithaka

Kenya has made notable efforts in strengthening its health system to improve access and use of health care services by its citizens. However, many challenges persist, some of which have been made worse by the devolution of health care provision in the country. Photo: Allan Gichigi/MCSP

AFIDEP, through the Heightening Institutional Capacity for Government Use of Health Research (HIGH-Res) initiative will be participating at the 11th KEMRI Annual Scientific and Health (KASH) conference, a virtual forum taking place between 8 – 10 June 2021.

Under the theme, ‘Strengthening Health Systems in Kenya through Research, Pandemic Preparedness, Technology and Innovations in the post COVID-19 era,’ KASH conference will provide an opportunity for sharing, cross learning and mentoring of young scientists as well as a platform for the discussion of current health challenges, the exchange of new knowledge and discussions on the way forward.

The conference brings together research scientists, health professionals, students undertaking scientific and health related causes (diploma, graduate and postgraduate level), KEMRI staff and partners from academia, policy and industry. It will feature 5 plenary speakers, 74 abstracts, 3 symposia and 13 unique sessions.

The KASH conference was launched in 2011 with the mission of mainstreaming the scientific and health agenda of KEMRI by dissemination, sharing and digesting various scientific outputs and other allied products including networking and strengthening partnerships and collaborations with view to Improving on health and quality of life.

HIGH-Res engagement at the KASH conference
The HIGH-Res project brings together various partners to design, implement and evaluate innovative interventions to strengthen institutional capacity for use of health research in policy-making in Kenya, Malawi and Uganda.

At the KASH conference, the Kenya HIGH-Res project team will be involved in the following activities:

Keynote Address by the Executive Director Dr. Eliya Zulu [10.10 – 10.35 hrs (EAT), 8 June]
The keynote address will be given by Dr. Eliya Zulu, Executive Director – AFIDEP and will focus on how the government can continuously strengthen institutional capacity for sustained EIDM practice

Launch of Cochrane Kenya chapter [11.00 – 1.00 hrs (EAT), 8 June]
The HIGH-Res project has contributed to the establishment of Cochrane Kenya through its activities with the KEMRI Knowledge Management Unit, involvement in the strategy development for Cochrane Kenya as well as the planning for the formal launch of Cochrane.

Host a symposium on Evidence-Informed Decision-Making (EIDM) to discuss the need to strengthen institutional capacities for evidence use at both the national and county levels [14.00 – 16:00 hrs (EAT), 9 June]
The evidence symposium titled ‘Building Resilient Health Systems: Tapping into Research Evidence to Support National Recovery from COVID-19 Pandemic’ will be held virtually on 9 June 2021 at 14.00 – 16.00 pm (EAT) via zoom. The symposium will build on the launch of the Cochrane Kenya with conversations focusing around how Cochrane Kenya can play a role in institutionalising EIDM in the country.

Hold post-conference webinar
During the webinar, a brief highlighting the key research results from the KASH conference and their implications for health sector decision-making and programming will be presented. The webinar will target relevant health sector policymakers and implementers, and researchers.

Interested participants are required to register in advance for the main conference to attend all sessions. To register, visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsc-6pqjkuHdZfCYAbCCpJH0YVxjLQBIzz