Partnership aims to reduce malaria deaths in Kenya

The Kenya Medical Research Institute has agreed a deal with a US pharmaceutical company to cooperate in malaria and bilharzia research.

KEMRI signed the deal with Merck on 29 October as part of the company’s Capacity Advancement Programme, a five-year initiative being implemented at several African universities.

Solomon Mpoke, KEMRI director and chief executive officer, said in a statement that the research will contribute to efforts to improve healthcare in Kenya. Malaria is the leading cause of death in Kenya while 11 million people are at risk of contracting bilharzia, or schistosomiasis, according to the World Health Organization.