By Dickens Wasonga.

Research scientists across Nyanza are alarmed that most medical laboratories in region, just like in other parts of the country still lacks the capacity to analyze specimen more so on the multi drug resistant TB strain.

Although the strain is still not common in the region and in the entire country,they are concerned that all the samples that needs to be analyzed currently about the MRD TB have to be taken to Nairobi.

This trend besides being time consuming, also adds to the cost of managing the disease and researchers have voiced their concern, asking that it be reversed.

Towards this end the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)and the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) in partnership with the Ministry of Public

Health and Sanitation (MOPHS) have now signed a memorandum of understanding which will see the decentralization of Multi Drug Resistance (MDR)

Tuberculosis {TB} testing services.

The move, according to the KEMRI Center director for Kisian Dr. John Vulule is targeting to create capacity of the medical laboratories in the region beginning with New Nyanza Provincial general hospital which currently serves as the regional referral facility.

Dr. Vulule pointed out that through the partnership , KEMRI/CDC will conduct trainings which will target laboratory staff in the selected facilities with those at the provincial hospital being considered in the first phase.

” Most of our health facilities with labs should be covered overtime in the trainings which will enhance capacities of those labs so that they are able to handle cases that are presented in their areas of jurisdiction. Because it involves even buying of some equipments, it is going to be costly and the program can only start at the refferal hospital which is very critical then spread to the others later’ He said.

Currently the Central Reference Laboratory in Nairobi, which conducts TB culture and sensitivity testing across the counrty is overburdened and this new collaboration will help ease the congestion and the burden witnessed there.

This is a timely decision because the MOU will now authorize KEMRI/CDC’s TB research laboratories to diagnose MDR TB and other suspected cases of MDR TB within Nyanza province.

Dr. Joseph Sitienei, the Director of National Leprosy and TB Control Programme (NLTP) in Kenya who witnessed the signing Ceremony which took place at the Kisian Center recently said the purpose of this partnership is to decentralize TB services and provide high quality services to Kenyans.

US Dollar 100,000 whci will go towards supporting this partnership will be through the KEMRI/CDC HIV Implementation Science and Services (HISS) branch which will facilitate culture and sensitivity testing targeting to benefit 2,000 TB patients every year.

Albert Okumu Ochieng, the KEMRI/CDC TB Lab Manager, said at the moment the TB lab at the research center has the capacity to conduct high quality diagnosis and surveillance having met all the international standard requirements.

“Our Current lab used for TB testing has well trained staff and superior modern facilities which is crucial for investigating MDR TB cases. This will reduce the turnaround time especially for specimens from Nyanza province.” Dr. Ochieng said.

KEMRI/CDC addresses the region’s toughest health problems at their source, directly working with vulnerable families and communities in local hospitals, clinics, and laboratories.

It also works in strong partnership with local, national, and regional partners working on health related issues.

We expect that with this new partnership ,KEMRI/CDC’s TB Research Laboratory will also be able now to train staff from the Central Reference Laboratory to help build their capacity as well.” Said Dr. Vulule.

The Kisian Center under the stewardship of the current director has continued to make progress on various research activities amongst them the participation in the third phase of the most advanced malaria vaccine trial.

It was also under this center that a study on discordant couples carried out in Asembo in Rarieda district revealed that early introduction into A RVs can reduce chances of further transmission by up to 90 per cent.

Under the neglected tropical diseases, the centers branch on Bilharzia is currently undertaking mass drug administration in most parts of Nyanza, especially along the shores of Lake Victoria where the disease is more prevalent.

ENDS.