The COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread rapidly across the claiming lives and negatively impacting on the economy. In Kenya, there are 15 confirmed cases of the virus with at least 171 under monitoring for suspected cases. The government has been working extra hard to put strict measures in place to contain the virus.
The public has been advised to observe social distancing and self-quarantine to curtail the virus. Those who suspect to have symptoms of the virus have been urged to report to the nearest health facilities to test for the virus, and avoid contact with uninfected persons. To help with clinical pathology tests carried out on clinical specimens to obtain information about COVID-for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, here are clinical laboratories in Kenya, designated for the COVID-19 cases.
1. National influenza centre, NPHL Nairobi
The NIC is a unit under the division of the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) within the Department of Preventive and Promotive Health in the Ministry of Health, established in the year 2014 and has been designated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the NIC in the country.
Among the functions of NIC include, monitoring the trends of viruses in the country and circulating strains or outbreak and responds to it, play a key role in public research which informs decision making in the Ministry of Health.
2. KEMRI Nairobi
It is a national body responsible for carrying out health research in Kenya. It is mandated to research on human health and cooperates with the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, the Ministry of Medical Services, the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST) and the Medical Sciences Advisory Research Committee in matters pertaining to research policies and priorities.
3. CDC KEMRI Kisumu
Centres of Disease Control and Preventions has been working with the government, other U.S. government agencies and international donors to implement research in Kenya to provide an evidence base for life-saving public health interventions. It has been working together with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) to build a comprehensive research platform. It is well equipped to test new diagnostics, vaccine candidates, and new treatment regimens.
4. Welcometrust KEMRI Kilifi
This is a research programme formed in 1989 when the Kenya Medical Research Institute formed a partnership with the Wellcome Trust and the University of Oxford. It has thrived in the use of novel ideas working with the local communities to achieve better health for Africa while also developing African scientific leaders. It has been developing new approaches to mapping and estimating the burden of diseases globally
5. Aga Khan Hospital Nairobi
It is part of the Aga Khan Health Services. It is a long-term care facility offering general medical services, specialist clinics and diagnostic services.
