PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION TO COMPLETION OF BIOSAFETY LABAORATORY II (BSL- II) AND ISOLATION CENTRE AT MTRH
The construction of the proposed Biosafety Laboratory II (BSL II) and Isolation Centre at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) is a significant infrastructural project funded by World Bank and Ministry of Health. MTRH is one of the sites in the country under the East Africa Public Health laboratory Network project (EAPHL) Project.
The project is meant to improve provision of laboratory services and strengthen diagnostic services at MTRH and western Kenya region. The project will ensure realization of MTRH’s core mandate focusing on healthcare delivery, training and research as enshrined in MTRH 2017-2022 Strategy. This project will also support the realization of East Africa Community (EAC) priorities on Health specifically Priority No. II – Strengthen the network of medical reference laboratories and regional rapid response mechanism to protect the region from health security threats including pandemics, bioterrorism and common agents; to be realized within the 2018-2028 Framework as adopted during the EAC Heads of States Retreat on Infrastructure and Health Financing and Development in Kampala on 22nd February 2018.
The two projects which are being undertaken concurrently and construction works began on 15th October 2018 and expected to be completed by the end of 2019. The total project cost for BSL II and Isolation Centre is Kshs. 300 million to cover civil works and equipping with Kshs 153 million going to civils works (Kshs. 93 million for BSL II, and Kshs. 59.6 million for Isolation Centre). The works also incorporates a Medical Incineration Unit at a cost of Kshs. 7 million. The Isolation Centre has been designed to WHO standards and will support management of both suspected and confirmed cases of hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola in the region. The construction of the projects are 30% completed as at 7th Amy 2019.
The project will be a big boost to the recent accreditation of MTRH Laboratories to ISO 15189:2012 Standard by Kenya National Accreditation Services (KENAS) on 26th April 2019. The new facilities on completion will further enhance efficiency of diagnostic services to support clinical management.