With the declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, Kenya found itself facing an unprecedented challenge. Relying heavily on global data, the country grappled with projections and information that weren’t always relevant to its unique circumstances.
Our founder and CEO, Dr. Shikoh Gitau along with Professor Thumbi Mwangi and Dr. Loice Ombajo, recognized this data gap and came together to provide clear, local-centric disease projections.This collaboration marked the birth of the Center for Epidemiological Modeling and Analysis (CEMA) at the University of Nairobi. CEMA, a multidisciplinary consortium, encompasses experts ranging from epidemiologists to data scientists. Its collective effort focuses on harnessing data-driven approaches to control infectious diseases, aiming to significantly improve health outcomes in Kenya and the broader African continent.
Clinical Research
CEMA Impact
CEMA has come up with Jifahamishe which represents a set of digital tools that enables the collection, collation, and analysis of Data. The goal is to enable practitioners not only easily collect data, but also aggregate, and make use of the data being collected, using a digital feedback tools. Jifahamishe has both user facing tools covering syndromic surveillance, and backend tools that has inbuilt artificial intelligence to predict disease patterns and spread through a layering of different data sets.
CEMA has offered attachment and internship opportunities in data science. We have also offered fellowship opportunities in Health Data Science and Information Technology,short courses and graduate courses in epidemiological modelling,R statistics workshops and mathematical modelling that can be used in the study of infectious disease dynamics.
CEMA has produced numerous impactful publications in clinical and epidemiological research. Our investigations and findings have provided insights guiding policies and advancements in these areas. Additionally, these publications serve as valuable resources for healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers, shaping the future of healthcare delivery and public health interventions.
At Qhala, our collaboration with the University of Nairobi to establish CEMA is a testament to our commitment to revolutionizing healthcare in Africa. Rooted in a deep understanding of the African healthcare landscape, we bridge the gaps between patients, healthcare professionals, and policymakers through our on-ground research initiatives. CEMA underscore our commitment to not only molding the future of healthcare in Africa but also setting international standards of excellence in healthcare digital transformation.
