Signing of Grant Agreement with Kenya: Contributing to global health by positioning Kenya as a regional hub
［Goal 3］ Good Health and Well-Being
2024.05.07
On April 26, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a grant agreement with the Government of the Republic of Kenya in Nairobi, to provide grant aid of up to 3,056 million yen for the Project for Strengthening the Research Capacity of Kenya Medical Research Institute.
In Kenya, infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria are the top six health hazards, and sudden outbreaks of such diseases due to inadequate public health measures have been reported in recent years. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has not only strained the medical system, but also had a serious impact on people's lives and the social economy. Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), with the support from Japan for over the roughly half century since its establishment in 1979, has been developing facilities such as research departments and laboratories, and, as a result of supporting human resource development in the field of tropical infectious-disease research, has become a leading center of research on the control of such diseases in East Africa, conducting joint research with oversea institutes and providing training for medical personnel outside of Kenya. As KEMRI's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the institute played a central role in PCR testing in Kenya, being commissioned by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to carry out performance tests on testing kits that would then be used across Africa, demonstrating the institute’s contributions to infectious disease control beyond borders.
On the other hand, existing facilities are facing challenges in their ability to handle research on emerging infectious diseases, as well as testing and diagnosis for high-risk pathogens. In order to strengthen both testing and diagnostic functions, it is necessary to develop facilities and equipment. The objective of the project is to strengthen KEMRI’s capacity for research on infectious diseases including COVID-19 by providing the institute with facilities and equipment for such research as well as for early-response testing and diagnosis, thereby strengthening the capacity for health crisis response in Kenya and the African region as a whole (especially East Africa).
This project will contribute to the achievement of SDGs Goal 3 (Good health and well-being).
Details for the project are provided below.
Basic project information
| Country | Republic of Kenya |
|---|---|
| Project title | The Project for Strengthening the Research Capacity of Kenya Medical Research Institute |
| Maximum grant amount | 3,056 million yen |
| Planned implementation period | 42 months, including detailed design work and the bidding period |
| Executing agency |
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) |
| Target region | Nairobi |
| Specific project details (provisional) |
1. Facility improvements/equipment procurement Construction of research complexes, procurement and installation of equipment for research and testing, provision of emergency generators, etc. 2. Consulting services Detailed design work, bidding assistance, construction/procurement supervision, training for the proper operation and maintenance of facilities and equipment (as the soft component). |
Sns share!
scroll