“Primary care remains the cornerstone of effective health systems, yet challenges related to prevention and equitable access persist across communities worldwide. This lecture highlights innovative, community-driven approaches that recognize the complex nature of healthcare systems and the vital role that community leadership plays in driving sustainable change.”
The lecture drew a diverse audience including faculty members, students, researchers, and community stakeholders. Professor Harding provided deep insights into the role of community-led approaches in enhancing primary care systems, with a focus on equity, prevention, and sustainable health outcomes. She emphasized the importance of collaborative frameworks that prioritize local knowledge and inclusive engagement in healthcare planning and delivery.
Following the lecture, a tree planting session was held within the university grounds as a symbolic gesture promoting environmental sustainability and long-term community health. Both Professor Harding and the DVC ASA participated in the tree planting, alongside students and faculty representatives.
The event was well-received and stimulated rich discussion among attendees. It also strengthened institutional commitment to integrating social and environmental dimensions into public health discourse and action.
On Tuesday, 17th June 2025, a public lecture titled “Strengthening Prevention and Equity in Primary Care: Community-Led Systems Thinking” was successfully held at the University’s Main Hall. The keynote speaker was Professor Seeromanie Harding, a distinguished Professor of Social Epidemiology at King’s College London.
The session was officially opened by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs (DVC ASA), Prof. Godrick Bulitia Mathews.
In his opening remarks. Prof. Bulitia extended his sincere thanks to Professor Harding for accepting to share her valuable expertise. He also thanked everyone present for their commitment to advancing knowledge and improving health outcomes through active participation in the discussion. On emphasing the importance of primary care, he said that,
King’s College London, KEMRI and Maasai Mara University have recently been awarded a prestigious research grant to further strengthen collaboration in this critical area:
Project Title– Co-developing a multi-sectoral-primary care partnership to address inequalities in cardiovascular disease prevention and management in the Maasai in Kenya (HEKIMA_Maasai)
Objective– To understand the lived experiences of CVD among the Maasai in Kenya and co-develop a multisectoral partnership with primary health care for prevention.
Funder- he British Academy
Award reference number- IOCRG/101801
Investigators and Institutional Affiliations:
Dr. Lydia Kaduka– KEMRI CPHR
Prof. Seeromanie Harding– King’s College London
Dr. Joseph Mutai-KEMRI CPHR
Dr. Kennedy Karani Onyiko-Maasai Mara University
Dr. Joanna Olale-Centre for Clinical Research
Ms. Schiller Mbuka-Centre for Public Health Research
This partnership exemplifies the power of shared vision and cooperative effort in advancing health equity and prevention.
