The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) received a substantial KSh7billion in funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In pursuit of an HIV vaccine, African researchers, including KEMRI scientists, benefited from a five-year funding program.
KEMRI, empowered by the USAID funding, collaborated with a consortium of African scientists from Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Acting Director General of KEMRI, Elijah Songok, highlighted the institute’s commitment to learning from past trials to propel advancements in the ongoing quest for an HIV vaccine.
The five-year funding will assist African researchers in the quest for an HIV vaccine through preliminary trials. Following this funding, KEMRI researchers will now embark on the search for the vaccine alongside other African scientists.
Acting Director General of KEMRI, Elijah Songok, said. “As part of the consortium, Kenyan scientists will join forces with research colleagues from Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe”.
Officials from KEMRI have stated that the lack of success in the previous seven vaccine trials serves as a lesson to be utilised in achieving the development of the vaccine.Additionally, the institute has launched testing and trial methods to provide funeral services in Kisumu and Siaya counties.
This initiative aims to reduce child mortality rates in these counties by conducting research to identify the causes of deaths before their bodies are buried. Songok emphasised the importance of these crucial services in investigating and preventing child deaths.
