The Kilifi government’s health sector has received a major boost after Amref Kenya donated screening equipment worth Sh13 million to tackle neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
Amref Kenya country director Dr Meshak Ndirangu said the equipment, which will be distributed to 15 health facilities, is expected to significantly improve the quality and speed of diagnosis.
“This equipment will go a long way towards improving the quality and speed of diagnostics for neglected tropical diseases. It will support the screening of common but long-overlooked diseases such as intestinal worms, lymphatic filariasis and bilharzia, among others, helping to strengthen the county’s healthcare system,” he added.
Ndirangu said that diseases like intestinal worms, schistosomiasis (bilharzia) and lymphatic filariasis are prevalent in the Kilifi region but have historically been neglected by the health system.
He emphasised the importance of working with development partners in Kilifi to integrate the control of NTDs into primary healthcare.
“We are working to ensure that when someone has intestinal worms, bilharzia, or any other NTD, they can access diagnosis and treatment at primary healthcare facilities. The primary care network must be able to manage these cases effectively,” he said.
Ndirangu added that integrating patient data into county and national health information systems would enable coverage under the Social Health Insurance Fund.
He said that the rollout is part of an ongoing study aimed at gathering evidence on the integration of NTD control into primary healthcare.
“We are asking: Is it possible to integrate NTD control into primary healthcare? How effective is it in terms of patient outcomes, speed of care, patient satisfaction, return on investment and community trust in the health system?”
The study, funded by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, is being conducted in collaboration with the Kilifi government, with the county health management team participating as part of the study team.
“In a couple of months, before the end of the year, we will have the findings,” Ndirangu said.
He spoke during the equipment handover ceremony at Kilifi County Referral Hospital, an event presided over by Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, his deputy Flora Chibule and senior officials from both the county and Amref.
Governor Mung’aro thanked Amref for the donation, saying the equipment would help ensure patients receive proper treatment.
Some of the facilities set to benefit are Kilifi County Referral Hospital, Baolala in Malindi, Jilore dispensary, Madunguni dispensary, Malindi Subcounty Hospital, Ganda dispensary, Gongoni health centre, Mamburui dispensary, Marafa Subcounty Hospital, Dilbe dispensary, Kadumbuni dispensary, Rabai Subcounty Hospital, Uwanja Wandege dispensary and Makandani dispensary in Rabai.
“All our hospitals in the county will now have equipment for screening neglected tropical diseases. We should be able to treat and eventually eradicate them,” Mung’aro said.
“We do not want a situation where patients are misdiagnosed. With this equipment in our grassroots hospitals, we expect diagnosis to be fast and accurate,” he said.
