Lodwar- August 4, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
The Department of Medical Services hosted a delegation from KESHI Limited to discuss improved laboratory samples referral through the use of cost-efficient digitized cooler boxes. The purpose of these cooler boxes is to enhance diagnostic services across the county.
The 12-month program supported by KESHI Ltd and funded by Global Fund sets to utilise lab “riders” to deploy the cooler boxes that will enhance timely referral of samples from Loima, Turkana North, Turkana West, Turkana South to Turkana Central, and from Turkana Central hub national labs in Eldoret and Nairobi counties.
Speaking at the meeting, Director for Medical Services Dr Ekiru Kidalio highlighted the importance of this intervention, saying that it will minimise time for sample referrals and ensure timely results allowing for reliable and accurate diagnosis critical for effective treatment.
County Laboratory Services Coordinator Alice Nataaba mentioned that the intervention will play a crucial role in ensuring access to quality care by refining patient care as it enables timely and accurate test results, prompting quick diagnosis and treatment decisions.
KESHI Assistant Director George Mochama said that the program will seek to support 24 health facilities- Lodwar County Referral Hospital hub, Kanamkemer, Lokichar, Katilu, Elelea, Lokori, Kakuma Sub county Hospital, Kakuma Mission Hospital, Lopiding, Lorugum, Natukobenyo, Amusait, Naduat, Makutano, Kaikor, Lokitaung’, Lorugum, and Kaapoka.
While sensitising the riders, Sub-County Medical Laboratory Coordinator Turkana Central Peter Segut emphasized to the riders to minimise time between sample collection and processing, which will reduce the risk of human error and contamination.
The cooler boxes come with special systems that help keep track of the temperature and condition of the samples during transport. This means that important samples—like those used to test for cancer, disease outbreaks, and blood conditions—can be safely and quickly sent across the county without being damaged or giving false results.
In attendance were Deputy Director for Medical Services Dr Bonventure Ameyo, Deputy Director Nursing Alice Akalapatan, Deputy Director Clinical Services Samuel Lokemer, County AIDS and STI Coordinator Samuel Pulkol, and KESHI County Coordinator Alex Ochola.
