Rabak Sami Ahmed, representative of Egyptian molecular diagnostics manufacturer Remedy, and health stakeholders during the Kenya Health Summit 2026 in Nairobi on August 19, 2026. [Noel Nabiswa, Standard]
Kenya is exploring the use of portable and locally manufactured medical diagnostic technologies to reduce the cost of healthcare and bring specialised services closer to patients, particularly those living in underserved and remote areas.
The technologies, showcased during the Kenya Health Summit 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, include mobile molecular laboratories capable of conducting advanced diagnostic tests outside conventional hospital laboratories.
For patients in remote areas, accessing specialized diagnostic services often means travelling long distances to referral hospitals, increasing both the financial and logistical burden of seeking care. Mobile diagnostic platforms could help bridge this gap by taking testing services closer to communities.
In Baringo County, a mobile molecular laboratory has been deployed to communities with limited access to healthcare and unreliable electricity. Residents were screened for Hepatitis B, with those who tested positive undergoing molecular testing to determine their viral load.
The approach demonstrates how mobile technology can support early detection while reducing the need for patients to travel to major urban centers for specialized tests.