Behind the Scenes at KEMRI KASH: One Good Turn’s Experience at Kenya’s Leading Health Research Conference

Georgette Akinyi, OGT Field Program Director (left) and Natasha Kisandi, OGT Training Facilitator (right) at the KEMRI KASH Conference, where OGT received the award for Best Abstract Presentation in Public Health

From February 10th-13th, Nairobi’s Safari Park Hotel was teeming with health leaders as practitioners, policymakers, and researchers convened for the Kenya Medical Research Institute’s (KEMRI) 16th Annual Scientific and Health (KASH) Conference under the theme: “The Future of Health: Scientific Research, Innovations, Technologies and Manufacturing for a Resilient Universal Health Coverage.” 

KEMRI, Kenya’s national institute responsible for human health research, shapes national and global health policy by partnering with local and international organizations to advance new innovations and strengthen health systems.

The annual KASH Conference offers a prestigious opportunity for scientific and health leaders from around the world to present research and engage with presentations covering a range of topics, from antibiotic resistance and local pandemic preparedness to maternal health solutions and disease surveillance systems.

One Good Turn was honored to win an award and be a part of this year's conference that spanned 4 days showcasing 405 abstracts across 34 scientific sessions and 22 symposia. Our team presented two abstracts: i) Reduced Health-Related School Absenteeism with a School Health Officer Training Program, and, ii) Prevalence of Hypertension in Young Kenyan School Health Officers.

“Presenting at the KASH Conference means One Good Turn's School Health Agency, Resources, and Education (SHARE) Program has been validated by Kenya's leading health research institution. It signals that our work is credible, our evidence—showing reduced student absenteeism—is compelling, and we now have a seat at the table where research, policy, and practice intersect. This recognition opens doors to partnerships, funding, and the chance to influence how school health is understood and prioritized nationally. I believe that this will transform One Good Turn from a grassroot implementer to a contributor shaping the broader health conversation."  -Barack, OGT Resource Mobilization Officer

The Conference Experience

It was an honor to share the stage with Kenya’s scientific leaders and have the opportunity to learn about emerging and pioneering health research in Kenya. One presentation in particular, “HIV Care:Past Lessons,Present Strategies,Future Directions and Quest for Cure ” from Dr Fredric Sawe stood out to Georgette, “It was fascinating to learn about the ongoing studies in Kenya showing how the virus responds to drugs and how treatment is modified over time.”

Equally special were the small moments in between presentations that made the experience feel uniquely Kenyan. Our team described the “sounds of people speaking their local languages, the national anthem during the sessions, and the running tea and the sweet lunch served by the welcoming banquettes. The breaks were filled with laughter and short conversations that made the place lively.”-Natasha, OGT Training Facilitator

Barack was humbled by the enthusiasm our presentations received, “Both drew so much attention such that there was not enough time to respond to the questions raised afterwards. During the presentation, the hall was fully packed with attendance going to over 200 delegates.” We appreciated the interest and questions regarding our program model, particularly the scope of SHARE, its national scalability, and our selection of school health supplies.

Receiving the Award for Best Abstract Presentation

On the fourth day of the conference, we were honored to receive the award for Best Abstract Presentation in the Public Health category.

“Receiving this award at KASH is deeply affirming on a personal level—a moment where the years of quiet, behind-the-scenes work in schools finally receives recognition from Kenya's leading health research institution. For One Good Turn Global Health, the award transforms our credibility overnight: it publicly validates that our School Health Agency, Resources, and Education (SHARE) Program produces measurable results, and elevates the organization from a grassroot implementer to an award-winning model worth scaling and studying."

- Barack

What This Means For One Good Turn

The KEMRI KASH conference was a milestone moment for One Good Turn and our Kenya Team. Our data results support the global evidence base that school health programs offer an effective solution for communities with limited access to health services.

“Health-related absenteeism reduction is important because it sits at the intersection where education and health meet. Often, children fall through the gap between the two. For One Good Turn, this metric provides clear, measurable proof that School Health Officer training works, giving a tangible outcome that educators, parents, and funders all understand and value. For School Health Officers, it makes their impact visible. Each prevented absence represents a child ith headache which was managed and stayed in class, a girl with menstrual pain who received care and didn't stay home, or a student with diarrhea who was placed on Oral Rehydration Therapy before things worsened. By tracking and reducing these absences, School Health Officers aren't just responding to problems; they're keeping children connected to learning, and in Kenya, where education is one of the clearest paths out of poverty, their work is giving students an opportunity to achieve their goals.” -Barack

Encouraged by the warm reception of our program findings and our conference experience, we look forward to new partnerships, and to expanding the SHARE Program to reach thousands more students across Kenya and beyond in 2026.

Thank you to our team members Georgette, Natasha, and Barack for their excellent presentations and for representing One Good Turn!