ugnet_: Institute of Primate Research Collapsing Over Neglect

A pioneer Government biomedical research institute constructed to the tune of Sh200 million is on the verge of collapse due to neglect and withdrawal of donor support.

The Institute of Primate Research (IPR), previously a World Health Organisation (WHO) collaborating centre and world main source of primates (Tana River mangabies and Red colombus) for medical and contraceptive research has lost its glamour among donors and researchers due to administrative instability.

The WHO has already stripped her off the collaboration status citing confusion while leading overseas universities and research centres have stopped getting primates from IPR, opting for South Africa and China.

National Museums of Kenya (NMK) Director General, Dr Idle Farah, said the fate of the institute will be known in October when a director and board of management will be appointed to oversee her operations. IPR falls under NMK.

Farah said negotiations were also going on within NMK board of management to explore the possibility of the institute being put under a relevant ministry, as it is currently misplaced.

"We must acknowledge that issues at the premier biomedical research institute have not been okay but the Government is doing everything to salvage IPR. Hopefully a new director and operation guidelines will be out in October as debates over its placement in a relevant ministry continue," Farah said.

He added that the person to be appointed to the position of IPR director must restore donor confidence and focus the institute to her previous work in medical research.

It has been established that IPR, the best-equipped biomedical research centre lost over 70 percent of its sponsorship and collaboration due what donors termed Government neglect and lack of a proper legal operation framework.

ugnet_: Institute of Primate Research Collapsing Over Neglect

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