Kenya receives mobile labs to enhance covid-19 testing capacity

Kenya has received two mobile laboratories from the German government through German Development Bank to help in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. 

German govt through german dev bank has supported the establishment of regional network of public health reference lab for communicable diseases.

Speaking in a press briefing German ambassador to Kenya Annett Günther said the Mobile laboratory equipment will help increase Kenya’s testing capacity.

The german government donated nine mobile labs to East African member states out of which Kenya received two.

The two mobile laboratories are equipped with modern equipment and have a combined capacity to test 2000 cases.

One lab will be stationed at Namanga, and the other at Naivasha which is Kenya´s dry port.

East African Community and Regional Cooperation Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohammed noted that the EAC secretariat has overseen the procurement of the mobile lab units, training of laboratory experts to operationalize the units and cascade knowledge transfer to build a critical mass of scientists across the country.

He called upon EAC member states to work together to fight the pandemic.

“Our ability to succeed in defeating the is dependent on how all of us in the EAC member states work together given the nature of our porous borders.We must make sure that all our people are getting sufficient support in testing.” Said CS Adan.

Speaking while welcoming the noble gesture by the German government, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe noted that the government has is proactively looking to enhance its capacity in mitigating Covid-19 disease by strengthening disease surveillance and response systems.

“It is imperative to scale up adequate and efficient preventive measures.We are proactively looking to enhance our capacity in mitigating this health challenges by strengthening our disease surveillance and response systems. Strengthening of our laboratories network is a key pillar in this,” noted CS Kagwe.

He observed that in the last month, the country has seen a rise in the Covid-19 cases detected among truck drivers at various border points.

“We have seen a rise of cases among truck drivers.They endure long journeys waiting to be tested, we apologise the inconveniences they endure,” said CS Kagwe adding that “the country has put in measure to test drivers on time and prior to their journey and receive a repeat test after 14 days.”

In addition to the labs Kagwe said “we are receiving mobile lab consumables, accessories, PPEs, satellite phones and electrical systems to use in the labs.”