Kiambu County Government’s Department of Health Services has received advanced tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic equipment valued at over Sh20 million from the Centre for Health Solutions Kenya (CHS). The donation was handed over during the official flag-off of the NPOC ACCESS Project at Kiambu County Level 5 Hospital.
The Centre for Health Solutions Kenya (CHS) is a local not-for-profit organization that implements evidence-based innovations to tackle public health challenges. In partnership with county governments and the Ministry of Health, CHS enhances service delivery and health outcomes across Kenya. The NPOC ACCESS Project introduces Near Point-of-Care (NPOC) TB diagnostics and a Digital AI Stethoscope to accelerate case detection, equity and scale-up. These portable rapid molecular tools enable faster TB testing closer to patients at community and primary care levels, delivering results in about 30 minutes using sputum or tongue swabs, supported by recent WHO recommendations.
Led by County Director of Health Dr. Hillary Kagwa, the event marked a significant milestone in strengthening TB care in the county. “This generous donation from CHS equips our health workers with modern technologies that will enable earlier detection and faster confirmation of TB cases,” Dr. Kagwa said. “The NPOC TB Diagnostic Assay and Digital AI Stethoscope represent a leap forward in our diagnostic capabilities. We are now better positioned to integrate TB services with care for lung diseases, nutrition, and mental health at the community level. This partnership advances our commitment to primary healthcare and brings us closer to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for all residents of Kiambu County.”
The equipment will support integrated service delivery, allowing health workers to provide comprehensive care closer to where people live. By decentralizing advanced diagnostics, the initiative aims to reduce delays in TB diagnosis, curb transmission, and improve treatment outcomes, particularly in underserved areas.
County health officials expressed optimism that the tools will significantly boost case finding and management. The NPOC ACCESS Project combines research, implementation, and training to ensure sustainable use of these technologies. Health workers have already undergone training on the equipment to prepare for effective rollout.
This collaboration between Kiambu County and CHS underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in tackling TB, which remains a major public health concern in Kenya. With enhanced diagnostics, the county is set to make substantial progress towards ending TB as a public health threat.
by Kipkorir Felix and Grace Naishoo
