Kenya First Malaria and Covid 19 Test Kits

The Ministry of Health in Kenya, on Tuesday launched a rapid testing kit for Covid-19 and Malaria. This is a milestone in the health sector as the world grapples with Corona Virus. The kits will be used to timely detect the two diseases.

Kenya has been on the forefront in fighting Malaria infections. In 2019, Kenya became the third country to embrace the malaria vaccine clinical trials. The Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) has been carrying out research on Malaria vaccines and contributed in giving the world its first ever malaria vaccine.

The RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine should be provided in a schedule of 4 doses in children from 5 months of age for the reduction of malaria disease and burden. Malaria still remains one of the top 10 causes of death in the country, and a leading killer of children under 5.

The new Kemri malaria kit will cost 60 shillings. This will be a major reprieve for users with the one currently in the market being charged by various hospital at about 300 shillings. On the other hand, the Covid-19 PCR kit which has been free of charge in public hospitals and in upward of 8,000 shillings in various private hospitals will cost 1,500 shillings.