Mzungu-malaria researcher on the loose in western Kenya
- L & C
- Dec 2, 2018
- 1 min read
This year I am working with a malaria researcher from Duke on a handful of projects related to infectious diseases. The majority of my time will be spent getting a new laboratory at a rural county hospital (Webuye county teaching hospital - WCTH) operational. This laboratory is a Gates foundation funded project, and is a collaboration between Duke, Moi University in Kenya, and the WCTH. The dual purpose of this laboratory is research and education. This facility will be used primarily to conduct cohort-based research on infectious diseases in Bungoma county, using patient samples from the adjacent county hospital. Additionally, the lab will be used to educate medical residents and students from Moi university.
The first priority of the lab will be to become a regional center for excellence in microscopy, aiming to specialize in microscope-based diagnosis of malaria and to improve laboratory interpretation of peripheral blood films, urine, and CSF. Over the next year, we hope to partner with surrounding/outlying clinics and hospitals to improve the quality of medical diagnostics and thereby improve patient care. In addition, we are currently building molecular biology/PCR capacity for use in future research projects.
The laboratory is currently under construction! It is being built from repurposed shipping containers joined together by cinderblock walls, and covered with a metal panel roof.
As I write this, the shipping containers are on their way from Nairobi and are scheduled to be delivered on site in Webuye later today!
We anticipate the construction will be complete by the end of December, and that the laboratory will be operational by the middle of January. Will keep you updated as things progress.
- Cody
So cool!! I do not know which is more impressive - that you are helping to build a lab or that you are doing microscopy and PCR in Kenya! I look forward to hearing the updates!