The National Aids Control Council, NACC has launched the first online research hub in East and Central Africa.
The online platform dubbed
Maisha Maarifa research Hub
will help local researchers share their findings in one platform which can be accessed by different stakeholders.
The Hub can be accessed through an internet-enabled device through this web address:
Speaking at the launch of the hub health CS Cleopa Mailu said that the data shared in the platform will help in coming up with better policies in the fight against HIV in the country.
“This hub is the first of its kind not only in the country but in the region. It is interactive in nature allowing online debates on topical issues among communities in practice", Mailu said.
This is important not only to fulfill the constitutional requirements but also tap into the experience of highly experienced Kenyans researchers.” he said.
Mailu added that the hub
will
promote evidence-based programming and policy formulation through research by availing research reports of studies in Kenya that may not have been drafted into peer-reviewed published manuscripts which often contain rich quality information that is not shared in any platform
Approximately 2000 research proposals are presented monthly to over 20 ethical review boards in the country however once their paper has been finalized, the researchers have nowhere to publish the data.
This in turn means that there must be much duplication in research protocols and many repeated mistakes as well as unnoticed successes that remain in the shelves of institutions and researchers.
“I believe that the hub will provide the much needed and central location where studies done in Kenya on HIV and related co-morbidities, Sexual and Reproductive Health care are collated and availed publicly," the CS said.