The Ministry of Health today deepened its collaboration with Abbott Rapid Diagnostics in a bid to strengthen Kenya’s epidemic preparedness and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga hosted the Abbott delegation, led by Mr. Khululiwe Mabaso, at the State Department for Medical Services. The two parties explored opportunities to expand Kenya’s diagnostic continuum of care, improve outbreak response capabilities, and ensure timely access to essential tests across the country.
“Rapid, accurate diagnostics form the backbone of both emergency response and routine healthcare,” Dr. Oluga said. “We value Abbott’s long-standing investment and look forward to harnessing their innovations to safeguard Kenyans and bring us closer to our UHC goals.”
Mr. Mabaso highlighted Abbott’s latest point-of-care solutions designed for use in remote and resource-limited settings. “Our aim is to equip health facilities at every level with reliable, easy-to-use tests that deliver results in minutes,” he noted. “By working hand-in-hand with the Ministry, we can enhance surveillance, speed up treatment decisions, and ultimately save lives.”
Both sides agreed to launch pilot programs in select counties this quarter, focusing on HIV viral load monitoring, tuberculosis diagnosis, and multi-pathogen respiratory panels.
The partnership will also include training for laboratory personnel, supply-chain strengthening, and data-integration initiatives to streamline decision-making at national and county levels.
This collaboration underscores Kenya’s commitment to fortifying health security and ensuring that every Kenyan regardless of location has access to the diagnostics needed for timely, life-saving care.
