The government has called for stronger partnerships in health research, innovation and technology transfer to help Africa develop home-grown solutions to its health challenges and build more resilient health systems.
Speaking during the 4th Kenya–United Kingdom Health Alliance (KUKHA) One Health Research and Innovation Conference in Nairobi, Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said research must move beyond laboratories and conference rooms and translate into practical solutions that improve the lives of ordinary people.
Muthoni noted that innovation and evidence-based interventions will play a critical role in improving healthcare delivery, strengthening health security and supporting Kenya’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage.
The conference, held under the theme “From Challenges to Global Solutions Together: Building Kenya and Africa’s Health Innovation Future,” has brought together researchers, policymakers, development partners and industry leaders from Kenya, the United Kingdom and other African countries.
Participants are trying to find ways to improve cooperation in the areas of research, innovation, and development of healthcare systems. However, the discussion around the challenges of public health in the region is also held.
According to the PS, Africa has great potential for developing innovative solutions to its own health problems; however, she noted that partnership was needed for research, technology transfer, and the adoption of innovations.
Moreover, she underlined the intention of Kenya to cooperate with its partners in order to promote innovation and manufacture as well as commercialize research results.
It should be noted that the above-mentioned remarks have been made in connection with the fact that African countries are actively trying to decrease their dependence on external health technologies and medications through developing research and production in the region.
All the participants of the conference agreed that closer cooperation in this area could contribute to the development of solutions to the existing and future health problems.
