Message from HoD

Welcome to the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology

The Department of Medical Microbiology, evolved from the Department of Pathology and Microbiology in 1980, stands as a beacon of excellence in teaching, research, and clinical diagnostic care in infectious diseases. We have been instrumental in generating two pivotal institutes within the University - the University of Nairobi Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (UNITID) and the Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative Institute of Clinical Research (KAVI-ICR).

 

Figure 1: The core mandate of the department


Key Mandates and Responsibilities of the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology

We are committed to the following;

  1. Education and Training:
    • Offering undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs in medical microbiology and immunology.
    • Training students in the principles and practice of medical microbiology and immunology.
    • Providing continuing education and professional development opportunities for faculty, staff, and healthcare professionals.
  2. Research and Development:
    • Conducting basic and applied research in various fields of microbiology and immunology, such as infectious diseases, immunotherapy, microbial genetics, and more.
    • Promoting interdisciplinary research, collaborations, and partnerships with other departments, research institutions, and industry.
  3. Clinical Services:
    • Providing diagnostic and consultative services to hospitals and healthcare providers.
    • Supporting infection control and prevention through laboratory testing, surveillance, and consultation.
  4. Community Outreach and Public Health:
    • Engaging in public health initiatives and community outreach programs to promote awareness, education, and prevention of infectious diseases.
    • Collaborating with public health agencies and organizations at the local, national, and international levels.
  5. Compliance with Regulations and Standards:
    • Ensuring compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and guidelines, including bio-safety, ethical considerations, accreditation standards, etc.
    • Implementing best practices in accordance with international guidelines such as those provided by the WHO, CDC, and other relevant bodies.
  6. Global Health Initiatives:
    • Participating in global health initiatives, collaborative research, and capacity-building in developing regions.
    • Providing expertise and support in managing outbreaks and emerging infectious diseases worldwide.
  7. Technology and Innovation:
    • Developing and implementing cutting-edge techniques, methodologies, and technologies in the field of microbiology and immunology.
    • Encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship through technology transfer and commercialization of research findings.
  8. Student Support and Well-Being:
    • Ensuring the well-being and success of students through academic advising, mentorship, counseling, and extracurricular activities.
    • Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the department and the broader academic community.
  9. Sustainability Practices:
    • Incorporating sustainable practices in laboratory management, resource utilization, waste management, and other operational aspects.
  10. Interdepartmental Collaboration:
    • Collaborating with other medical and scientific departments to promote interdisciplinary learning, research, and clinical services.
  11. Contribution to Policy Development:
    • Influencing and contributing to national and international policies related to public health, infectious disease control, and medical education.
  12. Building and Maintaining Infrastructure:
    • Investing in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, equipment, and technology to support educational, research, and clinical mandates.

OTHER KEY COMMITMENTS:

Aligning with National Goals

We are aligned with Kenya's BIG FOUR Agenda and Vision 2030, contributing to social improvements, training future researchers, and leading in vaccine discovery and local manufacturing.

Alignment with Global Standards

Our department aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing good health and well-being. We follow guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and adhere to other international health policies. This commitment ensures that our practices, research, and teachings are in harmony with global health priorities and standards.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The Department has played and continues to play a crucial role in infectious diseases management and in particular HIV/AIDS and more recently SAR-COV-2 and in this regard, is involved in collaborative clinical care work and research on how to manage the COVID-19 pandemic with the Government of Kenya - Ministry of Health, Kenyatta National Hospital, the KNH Infectious Disease Unit at Mbagathi Hospital and Coast General and Teaching Hospital. In addition, members of the department are involved in sample collection and CVID-19 patient follow-up in the above health facilities.  Some members of the department of medical microbiology were appointed to serve in the National COVID-19 task force and received the Uzalendo awards which were conferred by his Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya- Uhuru Kenyatta. This is after the government realized their commitment and patriotism in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition members of the department have contributed to national guidelines and policy in COVID-19 treatment and management

1.         INTERIM GUIDELINES ON MANAGEMENT OF COVID-19 IN KENYA

2.         HOME BASED ISOLATION AND CARE GUIDELINES FOR PATIENTS WITH COVID-19

Service Charter Delivery: Our Commitment

Finally, we are firmly dedicated to prioritizing and addressing vital areas of our expertise:

Student Affairs: Providing unparalleled education and mentorship to our undergraduate and postgraduate students across various medical disciplines.

Research Innovation and Enterprise: Leading in innovative research, creating a lasting impact in fields such as HIV, TB, Malaria, COVID-19, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Resource Management: Utilizing and managing our resources efficiently to ensure continued success in clinical laboratory medicine.

Maintaining Our Competitive Image Globally: Our contributions to the global medical community have been recognized far and wide, and we continue to uphold our competitive edge in medical microbiology.

We further pledge adherence to our service delivery charter, a core value that guides our commitment to excellence in every facet of our work. From the classroom to the laboratory, our focus on quality and accuracy shapes the future of effective healthcare.

Open Communication

Your feedback, complaints, or concerns are essential to our continuous improvement. Feel free to reach us via email at dept-medmicrobiology@uonbi.ac.ke or call us on +254-2-4915051. We are eager to hear from you.

We invite you to explore our website, learn more about our offerings, and engage with us. We look forward to fruitful partnerships and collaborations, shaping the future of medical science together.

 

Welcome.

 

DR. MARIANNE MUREITHI

 

 

Expiry Date