Hospital launches Covid-19 testing centre

Counties in North Rift can now access Covid-19 testing centre at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret.

In a statement released after a virtual summit of North Rift Economic Bloc (Noreb) governors, MTRH CEO Wilson Aruasa said the hospital started testing samples for the disease last week after it was given a green light by the Ministry of Health.

“Reagents and other Covid-19 testing consumables had been supplied by the government and the test is currently being done for free,” said Aruasa.

He urged all the Noreb counties - Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo, Turkana and Samburu - to submit samples for testing.

Dr Aruasa said the hospital will continue to support rapid training for health workers in the region to enhance their preparedness in handling Covid-19 cases.

He further pointed out that the hospital had been approached to participate in the Solidarity Trial - an International Randomised Controlled Trial for Covid-19 by the World Health Organisation through the Ministry of Health.

“MTRH will ensure all ethical issues are adhered to, relevant approvals granted by the Moi Institutional Research Ethics Committee, and safety standards are assured for residents who will participate in the trial,” he said.