Functions Of Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)

April 19, 2023 Majira Media

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is a state-owned medical research organization in Kenya. It was established in 1979 as a branch of the Ministry of Health and has since grown to become a leading research institution in the East African region. KEMRI’s mission is to improve the health of Kenyans through research, capacity building, and service delivery.

KEMRI conducts research on a wide range of health issues, including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, reproductive health, and nutrition. It has a network of research centers and field stations across the country and collaborates with local and international partners.

KEMRI is also involved in capacity building through training programs for researchers, health workers, and laboratory technicians. It provides services such as laboratory testing, clinical trials, and surveillance of disease outbreaks.

Functions of Kenya Medical Research Institute

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) performs several functions, including:

Conduct health, biomedical, and public health research for human health.
Build human health research capacity
Collaborate and partner with other local and international research bodies and institutions in carrying out human health research and capacity building
Advice the responsible Ministry in matters pertaining to health research policies and priorities
Undertake scientific and technological innovation as well as in the discovery, transmission and enhancement of knowledge and simulate the intellectual life in the economic, social, cultural, scientific, and technological development.
Policy development: KEMRI contributes to the development of policies and guidelines that guide the delivery of health services in Kenya. The institute’s research findings are used to inform policy decisions that improve health outcomes for the population.
To do all such things that are necessary or desirable to carry its functions.

Kenya Medical Research Institute Leadership

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is led by a Board of Management and a Director-General.

The Board of Management is appointed by the Government of Kenya and is responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of KEMRI’s operations. The Board consists of a Chairman, the Director-General, and other members appointed by the government.

The Director-General is responsible for the day-to-day management of KEMRI and is appointed by the Board of Management. The Director-General is the chief executive officer and is responsible for implementing the institute’s strategic plan, managing resources, and ensuring that KEMRI fulfills its mandate.

KEMRI’s management team comprises heads of departments, directors of research centers, and other senior staff responsible for the institute’s various functions. The management team works closely with the Board of Management and the Director-General to ensure that KEMRI’s activities are aligned with its mandate and strategic objectives.

KEMRI also has an institutional review board that provides ethical oversight for all research activities conducted by the institute. The board ensures that research is conducted in an ethical and responsible manner and that the rights, welfare, and dignity of research participants are protected.