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In Memoriam
http://allafrica.com/stories/200701191034.html
The Nation (Nairobi)
NEWS
January 20, 2007 </B>
Posted to the web January 19, 2007
Nairobi
Kenya has joined an elite group of African countries with laboratories capable of diagnosing some of the world's most dangerous diseases.
The flying of specimens for diagnosis outside the country will soon be history after the construction of a Sh220 million infectious diseases centre at the University of Nairobi's college of health sciences.
The centre is a result of a scientific collaboration spanning more than a quarter century between the Universities of Nairobi and Manitoba in Canada.
Only South Africa and Gabon have a similar centre on the continent. It contains a dozen laboratories capable of conducting diagnosis and basic research, and will also house two highly specialised laboratories, one of which will diagnose highly pathogenic diseases such as ebola, bird flu, Rift Valley fever and marbug fever, besides other viral haemorrhagic ones.
Advanced equipment
The other specialised laboratory will concentrate on research in HIV/Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases.
The centre will have more advanced equipment than any other research centre in the country. The laboratories whose equipment is yet to arrive from Canada, will operate under negative air pressure, and the incoming air will be filtered out using specialised equipment.
Other top laboratories in the country are the Kenya Medical Research Institute and the Central Veterinary Laboratory at Kabete, on the outskirts of Nairobi.
Reference centre
Speaking during the handing over ceremony yesterday, Nairobi University vice-chancellor George Magoha said the laboratory would be a reference centre for eastern and central Africa. The facility, he added, would increase the public universities' total research space by 215 per cent and provide training on epidemiology and the control of infectious diseases.
Health minister Charity Ngilu said the centre would also offer courses for postgraduate diplomas as well as masters and doctorate degrees. A community liaison committee had been established to act as an information conduit between the centre and the public, she added.
The team will comprise scientists, education specialists and the clergy, among others.
Canadian minister for Health Tony Clement, who also attended the function, promised increased collaboration between Kenya and his country in research on tropical diseases. "Diseases know no borders and that is why collaboration in research is of outmost importance." he said.
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The Nation (Nairobi)
NEWS
January 20, 2007 </B>
Posted to the web January 19, 2007
Nairobi
Kenya has joined an elite group of African countries with laboratories capable of diagnosing some of the world's most dangerous diseases.
The flying of specimens for diagnosis outside the country will soon be history after the construction of a Sh220 million infectious diseases centre at the University of Nairobi's college of health sciences.
The centre is a result of a scientific collaboration spanning more than a quarter century between the Universities of Nairobi and Manitoba in Canada.
Only South Africa and Gabon have a similar centre on the continent. It contains a dozen laboratories capable of conducting diagnosis and basic research, and will also house two highly specialised laboratories, one of which will diagnose highly pathogenic diseases such as ebola, bird flu, Rift Valley fever and marbug fever, besides other viral haemorrhagic ones.
Advanced equipment
The other specialised laboratory will concentrate on research in HIV/Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases.
The centre will have more advanced equipment than any other research centre in the country. The laboratories whose equipment is yet to arrive from Canada, will operate under negative air pressure, and the incoming air will be filtered out using specialised equipment.
Other top laboratories in the country are the Kenya Medical Research Institute and the Central Veterinary Laboratory at Kabete, on the outskirts of Nairobi.
Reference centre
Speaking during the handing over ceremony yesterday, Nairobi University vice-chancellor George Magoha said the laboratory would be a reference centre for eastern and central Africa. The facility, he added, would increase the public universities' total research space by 215 per cent and provide training on epidemiology and the control of infectious diseases.
Health minister Charity Ngilu said the centre would also offer courses for postgraduate diplomas as well as masters and doctorate degrees. A community liaison committee had been established to act as an information conduit between the centre and the public, she added.
The team will comprise scientists, education specialists and the clergy, among others.
Canadian minister for Health Tony Clement, who also attended the function, promised increased collaboration between Kenya and his country in research on tropical diseases. "Diseases know no borders and that is why collaboration in research is of outmost importance." he said.
.
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