The Brain and Mind Institute (BMI) at the Aga Khan University made a courtesy visit to the County Government of Kilifi to deliberate on how best the Institute can collaborate and partner with the County Government of Kilifi in ensuring the promotion and enhancement of mental and brain health within the county, during a two-day visit from 20 – 21 November 2023.
On the first day, the BMI delegation engaged leaders at the Kilifi County Department of Health. The following day, the team met stakeholders at the Mariakani Sub County Hospital. Stakeholders included representatives from Kaloleni and Rabai sub-counties, and Community Health Workers and Community Health Volunteers working in the two sub-counties.
The objectives of the visit were to:
- Formally introduce the Brain and Mind Institute in Kilifi County,
- Disseminate BMI’s research work conducted in the county,
- Listening to the county leaders and other stakeholders on how best the Institute could collaborate, partner, and work with the Kilifi County Government and communities to better mental and brain health conditions within the county.
The Kilifi County Department of Health officials and other stakeholders commended BMI’s research work and provided feedback on future research plans to strengthen collaboration and involve communities. They articulated the following key recommendations:
- The county needs to ascertain the prevalence of mental and brain health-related disorders by conducting baseline surveys.
- The community needs continuous engagement in research projects and the co-creation of interventions addressing mental and brain health.
- Conduct outreach programs to reach populations living in remote areas within the county who may have challenges accessing health facilities.
- Consider expanding mental and brain health research in other sub-counties such as Malindi, Kilifi North, Kilifi South, and Magarini which record high cases of mental health burdens.
The Brain and Mind Institute plans to begin with empowering the community by building the capacity of community health promoters, healthcare providers, and other cadres to enhance early screening and management of mental and brain health disorders in Kaloleni Sub County.
The ultimate objective of the Brain and Mind Institute is to foster research and innovation to promote community-based mental well-being and brain health. This will be achieved through discovery research (leading to novel treatments) and translation of research into mitigation of risks to mental and brain health.
The Brain and Mind Institute (BMI) at the Aga Khan University made a courtesy visit to the County Government of Kilifi to deliberate on how best the Institute can collaborate and partner with the County Government of Kilifi in ensuring the promotion and enhancement of mental and brain health within the county, during a two-day visit from 20 – 21 November 2023.
On the first day, the BMI delegation engaged leaders at the Kilifi County Department of Health. The following day, the team met stakeholders at the Mariakani Sub County Hospital. Stakeholders included representatives from Kaloleni and Rabai sub-counties, and Community Health Workers and Community Health Volunteers working in the two sub-counties.
The objectives of the visit were to:
- Formally introduce the Brain and Mind Institute in Kilifi County,
- Disseminate BMI’s research work conducted in the county,
- Listening to the county leaders and other stakeholders on how best the Institute could collaborate, partner, and work with the Kilifi County Government and communities to better mental and brain health conditions within the county.
The Kilifi County Department of Health officials and other stakeholders commended BMI’s research work and provided feedback on future research plans to strengthen collaboration and involve communities. They articulated the following key recommendations:
- The county needs to ascertain the prevalence of mental and brain health-related disorders by conducting baseline surveys.
- The community needs continuous engagement in research projects and the co-creation of interventions addressing mental and brain health.
- Conduct outreach programs to reach populations living in remote areas within the county who may have challenges accessing health facilities.
- Consider expanding mental and brain health research in other sub-counties such as Malindi, Kilifi North, Kilifi South, and Magarini which record high cases of mental health burdens.
The Brain and Mind Institute plans to begin with empowering the community by building the capacity of community health promoters, healthcare providers, and other cadres to enhance early screening and management of mental and brain health disorders in Kaloleni Sub County.
The ultimate objective of the Brain and Mind Institute is to foster research and innovation to promote community-based mental well-being and brain health. This will be achieved through discovery research (leading to novel treatments) and translation of research into mitigation of risks to mental and brain health.
