CEMA-Africa

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

17/12/2025

On today's meet Caleb Nyakundi, a Health Economist Intern at CEMA, with a background in Nursing and currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Health Economics and Policy.

In this feature, Caleb shares what a typical day looks like as a health economist, the lessons he’s gained at CEMA, and what he would prioritize as a policymaker.

His journey shows why nurturing young professionals like him—who bridge frontline experience with health economics and policy—is essential to building stronger, more equitable, and future-ready health systems.

16/12/2025

In honor of , marked on December 1, Dr. Loice Achieng Ombajo joined the show on Citizen TV-- Royal Media Services Limited to unpack critical issues around HIV and AIDS—from prevention to the urgent need for sustained funding of HIV services. In 2024, an estimated 162,899 adolescents and young people (ages 10–24) in Kenya were living with HIV, underscoring the scale of the challenge.

“If people are not treated, transmissions will continue, more people will get sick, and more lives will be lost. The government should think of how to get sustained funding for HIV services,” said Dr. Ombajo.

She also encouraged people living with HIV to register for SHA and health insurance to help cover essential tests and ensure continuity of care.

▶️ Watch the full conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keO40-LAgnQ&t=195s

15/12/2025

New Publication Alert! 🎉

Congratulations to Dr. Veronicah Chuchu, Stanley Sayianka, and colleagues on their new publication: “Burden of Antibiotic Resistance in Hospitalized Children in Kenya: Associations with Mortality, Hospital Stay, and Treatment Costs.”

Drawing on data from 1,608 pediatric patients admitted to a national referral hospital in Kenya, the study shows the serious impact of Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on child health. AMR is linked to higher death rates, longer hospital stays, and increased treatment costs.

The findings highlight AMR as a growing threat to pediatric care and reinforce the urgent need for stronger diagnostics, better antibiotic use, and effective policy action–especially in low-resource settings.

Read more: https://shorturl.at/Zp6Ii

Antimicrobial resistance poses a growing threat to pediatric care, yet data on its clinical and economic burden in low-resource settings remain limited. The impact of antibiotic-resistant infections on mortality, hospital stay, and treatment costs was assessed among children admitted to a national r...

12/12/2025

from CEMA!

Today, we celebrate the resilience and determination of Kenyans whose contributions continue to propel our nation forward.
May this day inspire a renewed commitment to building a stronger, more prosperous Kenya for all.

12/12/2025

What a week of celebrations! 🎉

Today, we’re excited to celebrate Carolyne Masaku, an MSc Fellow at CEMA, who graduated yesterday with an MSc in Data Science from the University of Nairobi! 🎓

Carolyne is passionate about using data to drive social impact—particularly in health—and we couldn’t be prouder of her achievement.

Join us in celebrating this milestone! 👏

Well done, Carolyne!

11/12/2025

New Publication Alert! 🎉

Congratulations to Dr. Sam Kahariri, Anita Makori, Brian Njuguna and colleagues on their new publication: “Integrating surveillance for human and animal brucellosis in Kenya: a predictive analysis.”

The study exposes critical gaps in Kenya’s human–animal surveillance systems and calls for stronger, integrated approaches to improve early detection and response to zoonotic diseases.

A big win for advancing One Health surveillance.

Read more: https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/10/12/344

Brucellosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease which poses a significant public health challenge globally.

10/12/2025

🎉 Congratulations to Nell Valentine (L) & Nicole Ashley (R) on your graduation!

We are proud to celebrate Nell Valentine, Epidemiology Intern, on graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology — and Nicole Ashley Muthoni, Data Science Intern, on graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).

Your hard work, dedication, and passion for advancing the future of health through data continue to inspire us. We can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you.

Well done, graduates! 🎓✨

09/12/2025

We’re celebrating one of our own! 🎊

Huge congratulations to Dr. Patricia Nyokabi, who has successfully defended her PhD in Health Technologies Assessment (HTA) at the University of Mahidol, Thailand.

She marked this incredible milestone surrounded by family and colleagues.

Dr. Patricia is an HTA specialist at CEMA and serves on the Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel (BPTAP) Secretariat, which provides expert guidance to the Ministry of Health on designing and reviewing the health benefits packages and tariffs under the Social Health Insurance Framework.

08/12/2025

Opportunity Alert!

CEMA is looking for a Scientific Coordinator with a passion for health research and strong skills in scientific coordination.

The ideal candidate will support the smooth ex*****on of clinical research projects, strengthen collaboration across scientific teams, and help maintain robust relationships within CEMA’s national and continental research networks.

If this sounds like you—or someone you know—please send your application to recruit-sccema@uonbi.ac.ke by Friday, December 19, 2025.

Find more details on our website here: https://cema-africa.uonbi.ac.ke/careers

03/12/2025

It’s , and today the beam lands on Victoria Jemutai, a Data Science Intern at CEMA with a background in epidemiology and biostatistics!

Victoria has always been driven by the power of science to improve lives, and she’s charting her path in data-driven health with curiosity and confidence.

Watch the video to hear how she found her way to CEMA and what a typical day looks like in her world of coding, analysis, and impact.

With passionate young scientists like Victoria, the future of health is certainly bright — and powered by data.

02/12/2025

Looking forward to hosting tomorrow’s webinar on how modelling is shaping the HIV response!

Join us here: https://shorturl.at/VcDW9

Don’t miss out!

📅Save the Date!

Our next CEMA Seminar Series lands on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 12:00 pm EAT.

Join the game-changing session with Dr. Kennedy Mutai, Senior Research Associate in Infectious Diseases Mathematical Modelling at the University of Bristol, UK and discover how infectious disease modelling is shaping HIV policy and programming.

Scan the QR code to register or click here: https://shorturl.at/VcDW9

Don’t miss out!