The Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation has denied media reports that it has procured HIV test kits which have not been approved by the World Health Organization.
Speaking at a press conference today Dr SK Sharif the Director of Public Health and Sanitation said that at no time did the Ministry procure HIV test kits which are not recommended by WHO adding that the Ministry has not procured any HIV Test Kits this year.
Sharif said the kits currently in use in Kenya were recommended by the WHO and underwent local field tests by an expert committee consisting of academicians,researchers and technical development partners.
He said the committee recommended the HIV rapid test kits be used based on their superior quality and a turnaround time of less than 15 minutes before the results are released to the clients.
"Test kits currently used in Kenya were selected about 10 years ago. With the advent of new technologies the Ministry decided to adopt kits with short turnaround time and with a higher specificity and sensitivity," Sharif said.
He further explained that the expert committee that reviewed the test kits was convened following the failure of one previously recommended HIV test kit. He said the WHO issued an alert on the failure in December 2011 and the Ministry immediately issued a circular stopping its use.
Speaking at a press conference today Dr SK Sharif the Director of Public Health and Sanitation said that at no time did the Ministry procure HIV test kits which are not recommended by WHO adding that the Ministry has not procured any HIV Test Kits this year.
Sharif said the kits currently in use in Kenya were recommended by the WHO and underwent local field tests by an expert committee consisting of academicians,researchers and technical development partners.
He said the committee recommended the HIV rapid test kits be used based on their superior quality and a turnaround time of less than 15 minutes before the results are released to the clients.
"Test kits currently used in Kenya were selected about 10 years ago. With the advent of new technologies the Ministry decided to adopt kits with short turnaround time and with a higher specificity and sensitivity," Sharif said.
He further explained that the expert committee that reviewed the test kits was convened following the failure of one previously recommended HIV test kit. He said the WHO issued an alert on the failure in December 2011 and the Ministry immediately issued a circular stopping its use.
