[Source: People Daily, by Irene Githinji]
United Kingdom has given Kenya £1.1 million (Sh150 million) grant to support in coronavirus research.
The grant will assist local scientists detect coronavirus anti-bodies in blood donors, visitors to ante-natal care clinics and health care workers.
The programme will be led by the Kemri-Well come Trust Research Programme in collaboration with Ministry of Health.
“The grant will help monitor, understand and inform the ongoing coronavirus response in Kenya and provide learnings for similar countries in responding to and controlling the disease,” read a statement from British High Commission in Nairobi.
Announcing the funding during a virtual visit to Kenya, UK’s International Development Secretary, Anne Marie Trevelyan said coronavirus was a threat to everyone around the world.
“The UK is placing science at the heart of our support for Kenya during this pandemic. We believe these studies will provide robust predictions about the spread of infection and help to control the disease, contributing to keeping us all safe,” she said.
“We will continue to work in close partnership with Kenya government and Kenyans in other ways to contain and tackle coronavirus – including strengthening healthcare and boosting the economy by protecting jobs,” Trevelyan added. The study is funded by UK Aid and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
[Source: People Daily, by Irene Githinji]
