Medical experts have raised concern over the increased multi-drug resistant bacteria in the country.
Speaking at this year’s Biennial Infectious Disease Conference (BIDCon at Nairobi hospital, the medics warned that the dangers posed by the multi-drug reistant bacteria were immense and called on the government to set aside enough resources for research.
The theme of the conference held at the Nairobi Hospital Convention Centre was “Infectious Disease Updates”.
The conference addressed the threats posed theincrease of multi-drug resistant bacteria, new and re-emerging diseases, as well as developments around the prevention and management of endemic infectious diseases.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the event, Nairobi Hospital chief executive Gordon Odundo, lauded the efforts of medical practitioners who have focused on research and devised solutions for many of the emerging infectious diseases.
“We appreciate the time and resources you use in order to ensure that solutions to some of these infectious diseases are found. I challenge you to focus efforts in research of trends seen in infectious diseases that are communicable like flu” he said.
Dr. Kevin De Cock, the Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) country mission in Kenya emphasized that, expertise for funding and research of STI’s needs to be addressed.
He added that the media has an important role to play in educating the public about the correct use of antibiotics in order to seek correct forms of treatment and tame the spread of diseases.
The 2017 biennial infectious disease conference brought together the largest gathering of practitioners in infectious diseases in Eastern Africa.
The two day conference offered participants an opportunity to network with African and international professionals, enhance cooperation with important stake-holders and gain scientific information.