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Kenya launches research hub to enhance war against HIV/AIDs

Xinhua, April 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Kenyan ministry of health and partners on Monday launched an HIV/Aids research hub in order to strengthen evidence-based interventions to contain an epidemic that affects 5.6 percent of the country's population.

Speaking during the launch ceremony in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary for health Cleopa Mailu said Kenya aims to become a continental hub for cutting edge research on HIV/Aids prevention, treatment and management.

"The establishment of HIV/Aids research hub will inform development of evidence-based policy and biomedical interventions to fight an epidemic that remains a leading cause of deaths," Mailu said.

The HIV/Aids research hub will enhance web-based interactions and sharing of information among key stakeholders involved in the fight against the disease.

Mailu said policymakers, donors and campaigners will be able to access new research findings related to prevention and treatment of HIV opportunistic infections.

"We require updated research to influence policy and guidelines on voluntary testing, prevention of mother to child transmission and adherence to drugs," Mailu said.

Kenya is among African countries that have prioritized investments in research to strengthen HIV/Aids response.

Mailu said the government has courted private corporations to boost HIV/Aids research financing in the light of declining support from external donors.

"We are committed to advance research in the area of HIV/Aids and have begun talks with strategic partners to bridge financing gap," said Mailu adding that Kenyan scientists have won global acclaim for coming up with research that has boosted HIV vaccine development.

Kenya has prioritized HIV/Aids research agenda as it hastens progress towards elimination of the pandemic by 2030.

Nduku Kilonzo, Director of National Aids Control Council said the Kenya Aids Strategic Framework roots for creation of a research hub to boost response to the pandemic.

"The HIV/Aids research agenda realigns with our strategic goal to reduce new infections, deaths and stigma to a bare minimum by 2030,"Kilonzo said. Endit