Kenya Partners with Global Foundations to Strengthen Non — Communicable Diseases Research. Nairobi, Kenya — The Ministry of Health in Kenya, along with the Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance Kenya (NCDAK), the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation), and the Novo Nordisk Foundation, have announced a strategic partnership to bolster research efforts against non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs), across East Africa.
The collaboration aims to enhance research agenda — setting and capacity mapping, focusing on diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and kidney disease, which are significant public health challenges in the region.
NCDs account for an estimated 30–45% of all deaths in East Africa, with CMDs contributing largely to this burden.
According to Dr Evelyn Gitau, Chief Scientific Officer at SFA Foundation, the partnership addresses the gap between research and implementation in Africa. “This initiative focuses on identifying service-delivery bottlenecks and strengthening regional research capacity so that African-led science can more effectively inform policy, practice, and investment,” Dr Gitau stated.
The initiative, spanning 12 months, will prioritize key knowledge gaps for CMD service delivery, support national research priority-setting, and identify gaps in CMD service delivery at the primary healthcare level. It will also map institutional and technical capacity for CMD implementation research across East Africa.
A national NCD Research Agenda for Kenya will be developed through broad consultations with policymakers, researchers, civil society organizations, patient advocates, and individuals with lived experience.
Dr Gladwell Gathecha, Ag. Head of the Division of Non-Communicable Diseases at the MoH, emphasized the importance of aligning research investment with national priorities.
“We are proud to support a consultative process that brings together policymakers, researchers, civil society, and persons with lived experience to shape a research agenda that responds to real gaps in care, amplifies community voices, and drives action where it matters most,” said Dr Catherine Karekezi, Executive Director of NCDAK.
The partnership reflects the urgency of strengthening locally led, implementation — focused research. Mette Ide Davidsen, Director of Global & Public Health at the Novo Nordisk Foundation, expressed excitement over the project’s launch and anticipated the impact on NCD management in East Africa. Further details regarding specific research projects and dissemination strategies are expected to be released as the initiative progresses.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
