Microsoft Word 02Preface doc

particular, the development and production of HEPCELL II and its dissemination 
through the ICTP have improved the screening rate of blood for transfusions from 45% 
to 95%. 
In addition, KEMRI contributed to the improvement of the health services by 
providing surveillance services and reference services.  As part of the surveillance 
services, KEMRI dispatches rapid response teams to outbreaks of infectious diseases, 
and provides diagnostic services to private companies.  KEMRI also provides 
reference service as a regional WHO Collaborating Centre. 
Although KEMRI does not have the role of implementing national diseases control 
and other testing, KEMRI has the additional role of producing test kits, which was not 
included in the original mandate of the research institute.    The Japanese government 
plans to support the development of a production facility for test kits under KEMRI.   
Thus, KEMRI will have a new role of producing and selling test kits.     
It is expected that the research activities that directly link infectious diseases control 
and the implementation of disease surveillance will increase to improve the health 
services in Kenya through the adoption of the research outputs of KEMRI by health 
services.  It is also important to strengthen the reference services such as the 
establishment and expansion of epidemiological databases for HIV/AIDS and 
emerging/re-emerging infectious diseases, and enhancing information services. 
The expected roles of KEMRI in relation to infectious diseases control in Kenya are 
summarized in Table 5.24. 
 

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