Beating cancer, AMR: Medical revolution of personalised medicine

Poorly equipped laboratories contribute to the rising antimicrobial resistance and late cancer diagnosis in Africa.

Researchers found that most laboratories across Africa are not ready for AMR testing and cancer testing, two monstrosities that are quickly becoming top killers and poverty inducers for most families in the country. 

Only one in every 500 medical laboratories in Africa conducts bacteriology testing and even fewer can perform the scientific process of determining antimicrobials, according to a report by a 2023 Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

The bacteriology test identifies what type of bacteria caused the infection. It helps healthcare providers provide personalised and the most effective treatment because certain antibiotics in specific doses are more effective against specific bacteria.

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Similarly, only nine counties have laboratories that can analyse samples for cancer diagnosis in Kenya, according to the Ministry of Health.

“This stresses the importance of proper investment in laboratory capacity, including microbial systems, necessary equipments and training,” says Dr Yoichi Shimada, the CEO of CA Medlynks, one of the few laboratories in the country which provide PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing, gene sequencing, and molecular testing infrastructure. 

“These tests detect genetic material from a specific organism, such as a virus or bacteria as soon as it lodges into your body. The tests also detect fragments of the infectious agent even after you are no longer infected,” explains Dr Paul Yonga, a consultant infectologist at the CA Medlynks lab.

PCR tests are vital because they are rapid and accurate and get to the exact root of an infection. “This means a quick turnaround time,  “Lack of such infrastructure is being blamed for delayed results and the current high costs of obtaining tests.

"Most laboratories in hospitals are poorly equipped and could be the missing link in the AMR and cancer war. Most specialised samples require specialised equipment for precision treatment,” says Titus Muriuki, a specialist at CA Medlynks. 

Personalised or precision medicine uses molecular-genetic information about patients to deliver the right treatment, at the right time, to the right patient, in contrast to traditional, one-size-fits-all health care. “The one-size-fits-all medicine which is practised widely in our hospitals contributes to rising cases of hard-to-treat infections,” says Muriuki.

According to Muriuki, as healthcare costs skyrocket, personalised testing and medicine provide a more affordable intervention because it tailors treatment rather than sending patients off on a trial-and-error odyssey. This approach, he says, decreases waste while increasing care quality.

“These tests are majorly available overseas, that’s why people get referred to India. Our facility brings these services and interventions right here, and will also help in research to ensure these breakthroughs extend to everyone, combating sociodemographic health disparities in the country,” Muriuki said during the launch of the facility’s new state-of-the-art lab along Ngong Road last week.

“In this new lab we will target three major areas. Microbiology where people may want to know more about the specific nature of the infection. Oncology, to ensure proper and timely cancer diagnosis, and drug resistance cases, to ensure proper treatment and prevention of uncontrolled spread of stubborn infections,” said Shimada.