CEMA-Africa

CEMA-Africa Using data-driven approaches to control infectious diseases and improve health in Kenya and the African Continent.

This insightful piece (https://lnkd.in/ewTdiGPd) by John Muchangi, published in the Star highlights growing evidence tha...
02/02/2026

This insightful piece (https://lnkd.in/ewTdiGPd) by John Muchangi, published in the Star highlights growing evidence that Kenya’s deworming strategy needs to evolve — moving beyond blanket toward targeted, region-specific interventions informed by data.

The story draws on recent research (https://lnkd.in/dfFvACfa) by Dr Mutono Nyamai, and colleagues, showing how precision approaches can drive stronger impact and ensure more efficient use of limited resources in the fight against .

Today, we mark .According to WHO, over 1 billion people globally remain at risk of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), ...
30/01/2026

Today, we mark .

According to WHO, over 1 billion people globally remain at risk of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), and Kenya is among the affected countries. An estimated number of 25 million people in Kenya are at risk of at least one NTD including and , underscoring the need for smarter targeted responses.

At CEMA, we use data to drive action. Through disease modelling, we help policymakers pinpoint where NTDs persist, identify who is most at risk, and design targeted, evidence-led interventions.

Ending NTDs requires precision, not guesswork. We call on governments, partners and stakeholders to put data at the center of NTDs control and elimination.

Evidence leads. Impact follows. Together, we can and ensure no one is left behind.

29/01/2026

As approaches, Joy Nthiwa, MSc, PhD Fellow at CEMA reflects on why Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) matter deeply to her, and how epidemiological modelling is helping inform smarter, more hopeful responses—drawing on recent work from Senegal.

Watch and be inspired 👇

28/01/2026

is back!

This week, we shine the light on Nicole Wangui, a data science intern at CEMA and a recent graduate of JKUAT, with a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science.

At CEMA, Nicole has built strong technical skills, including programming in R, while sharpening key soft skills such as communicating data-driven insights to diverse audiences.

If Nicole were a policymaker, what changes would she champion in the healthcare sector? Watch the video to find out.

We can’t overemphasize the importance of nurturing brilliant young scientists like Nicole as we transform the health sector.

Day 2 of the Ndovu Investigators meeting kicked off with a recap of Day 1, which included highlighting country-level pro...
27/01/2026

Day 2 of the Ndovu Investigators meeting kicked off with a recap of Day 1, which included highlighting country-level progress and data signals showing encouraging momentum across sites. Protocol reviews reflected real-world operational realities, including expanded enrolment, while the Ndovu RCT protocol review addressed key safety considerations—particularly for participants with CD4 counts above 1,000.

The day continued with an adherence audit, study monitoring audits highlighting lessons learned across countries and sites, and updates on financial management and reporting. Participants then broke into group discussions to unpack emerging issues, identify practical solutions, and reported back with shared insights and next steps.

📌 See highlights below.

Save the date!Join us for the next CEMA Africa Seminar Series.Dr. George Omondi Paul, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow at C...
27/01/2026

Save the date!

Join us for the next CEMA Africa Seminar Series.

Dr. George Omondi Paul, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow at CEMA, will share how epidemiology and modelling can support the elimination of Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) in Kenya.

🗓 4 February 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM EAT

Scan the QR code to register. Don’t miss it!

CEMA is excited to host Principal Investigators and health researchers from across Africa working on the Ndovu HIV Study...
26/01/2026

CEMA is excited to host Principal Investigators and health researchers from across Africa working on the Ndovu HIV Study, supported by the Gates Foundation, for a three-day investigators’ meeting (26–28 January) in Naivasha.

Researchers from Kenya, Tanzania, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe have come together to reflect on study progress, share insights, and shape the next phase of the research.

Discussions are focused on country-level progress, emerging data, shared challenges, lessons learned, and the road ahead.

Explaining why the Ndovu study matters, Dr. Loice Achieng Ombajo, Chief Investigator of the study, noted:

“There has been concern that some people are failing treatment due to resistance to Dolutegravir (DTG)- a common drug used for HIV treatment. We need data to guide how best to manage patients when resistance emerges. The Ndovu study is helping inform global guidelines for managing this group.”

🎥 Watch the video and stay tuned for more updates.

SolidarMed Lesotho, Nacional de Saude (INS), Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), NASCOP D.

The recent withdrawal of US government funding has opened a major financing gap in Kenya’s and Africa’s health sector, t...
26/01/2026

The recent withdrawal of US government funding has opened a major financing gap in Kenya’s and Africa’s health sector, threatening healthcare delivery and health outcomes.

A new report by CEMA, "Immediate Impact of External Funding Withdrawal on Kenya’s Health Sector," funded by the Gates Foundation, provides a comprehensive analysis of the external funding landscape and tracks how resources flow through the health system highlighting the areas most affected including:

➡️ External funding for health fell significantly from KES 126 billion to KES 54 billion in Financial Year 2025/26

➡️ A decline in external and government funding for HIV, TB, and Malaria

➡️ Commodity funding gap has widened to KES 34.655 billion

Speaking CGTN TV, Dr. David Khaoya, Lead Author and Senior Research Fellow at CEMA, explains the report’s findings and highlights a critical moment for action. He notes that Kenya and other African countries now have an opportunity to rethink health financing and build more resilient, self-reliant health systems.

🎥 Watch the full conversation: https://youtu.be/Rx0G-r3XOL0?si=120w6UszV6NXSz3d

📄 Read the full report: https://shorturl.at/7kVef

New Publication Alert! 📢 Congratulations to Prof. Thumbi Mwangi and colleagues on their latest paper in Frontiers: “Soci...
22/01/2026

New Publication Alert! 📢

Congratulations to Prof. Thumbi Mwangi and colleagues on their latest paper in Frontiers: “Social determinants of health associated with the clinicopathological presentation of patients with prostate cancer in Kenya.”

Using data from 170 men diagnosed with prostate cancer at Kenyatta National Hospital and MP Shah Hospital (2022–2024), the study examines stage at diagnosis and the social factors driving advanced prostate cancer in Kenya.

With prostate cancer now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in Kenya, this research fills a critical data gap. Findings reveal that most men present with advanced disease, influenced by education level, spirituality, and region of residence.

The study highlights the urgent need for community-based awareness and targeted screening, especially for men with lower levels of education.

Read more: https://shorturl.at/Qkdqu

In the standard, Dr. Loice Ombajo noted, “Many HIV patients in Africa struggle with taking multiple drugs, stigma, and s...
20/01/2026

In the standard, Dr. Loice Ombajo noted, “Many HIV patients in Africa struggle with taking multiple drugs, stigma, and side effects, which make it difficult to stay on treatment and may eventually lead to resistance and treatment failure.”

The IMPALA study—a 24-month randomized controlled trial conducted in partnership with the UK Research and Innovation and the Uganda Virus Research Institute, with support from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London and the J&J Innovative Medicine Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA)—shows that transformation is not only possible, it’s within reach.

Long-acting injectable treatments reduce the burden of daily pills, making adherence easier, improving quality of life, and helping prevent HIV-related deaths.

This study adds to growing evidence aimed at advancing safer, more flexible HIV treatment options for adults across Africa.

Read more here: https://shorturl.at/v94Uz

Happy Holidays!!!
24/12/2025

Happy Holidays!!!

“Antimicrobial resistance is killing people quietly. When bacteria stop responding to treatment, even common infections ...
18/12/2025

“Antimicrobial resistance is killing people quietly. When bacteria stop responding to treatment, even common infections become deadly—and that is a crisis we cannot ignore.”— Dr. Loice Achieng Ombajo, speaking with Chebet Birir on the KTN Health & Wellness show, alongside Dr. John Kariuki.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is quietly becoming one of the biggest threats to our health—and it affects all of us. Hospital surveillance shows that many common bacteria are already resistant to frequently used antibiotics. For infections such as UTIs, 60–70% no longer respond to standard treatments. In newborn units, resistant infections have led to tragic loss of life, and current research suggests that up to 60% of patients with resistant infections may die.

What can we do?

🔹 Finish the full dose of prescribed antibiotics

🔹 Never take antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription

🔹 Governments must regulate and stop over-the-counter antibiotic sales

🔹 Hospitals and the public must practice infection prevention and control (IPC), including regular hand hygiene

🔹 Health workers should follow evidence-based guidelines and use culture testing to guide treatment

AMR affects everyone—regardless of age, income, or insurance. Stopping it requires action from all of us.

▶️ Watch the full conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VHGSNL8-k8

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