Dr Evasius Bauni, centre leader Kilifi HDSS in Kenya, retires at 62

Dr. Evasius Bauni a demographer and in charge of the Kilifi Health and Demographic Surveillance System (KHDSS) has retired at age 62. He holds a PhD in medical demography from LSHTM, London and an MA in Population Studies from Australian National University, Canberra. Prior to joining the unit in 2001, he worked at the Population Council, Nairobi (1997-2001); UNFPA, Nairobi (1994-96) and Kenyatta University, Nairobi (1986-94). Bauni was involved in the design and implementation of the Kilifi Health and Demographic Surveillance System (KHDSS). He oversees the data gathering, processing and dissemination activities, working closely with data managers, programmers and statisticians both within the Unit and within collaborating centres to ensure valid, efficient and authentic data collection and processing. Bauni was also involved in developing tools for counting and monitoring pregnancies and interpreting verbal autopsy (VA) data. These will enhance the understanding of disease burden and pregnancy outcomes of the community resident in the KHDSS. Currently he is the PI of INDEPTH Health Transition to adulthood (IHTAS), a collaborative study with LSHTM, INDEPTH and Dodowa Health and Demographic Surveillance System (DHDSS) site. The study aims at developing and implementing a health package friendly to young people 10-24 years. Finally, Bauni is working with the department of civil registration (CRD), various relevant Kenyan government ministries and funding partners to find an effective way of increasing vital registration coverage.  The Network will miss his authoritative expert/experienced voice at INDEPTH workshops.