The easy-to-use sample collection device will make it possible to transport plasma for testing in far-flung regions without the use of refrigeration.
Currently, the collection methods require electricity driven processing, temperature control, and packaging.
Since plasma viral load results require samples to be cooled during transport to the lab to avoid clotting, the new technology will make it possible to transport samples over long distances.
The test simplifies blood collection and sample transportation by requiring only a small amount of a patient’s blood to be collected from a fingertip.
Swiss drug maker Roche says it will be taking HIV testing to Kenyans in remote areas months after it launched its Cobas Plasma Separation Card.
The easy-to-use sample collection device will make it possible to transport plasma for testing in far-flung regions without the use of refrigeration.
Currently, the collection methods require electricity driven processing, temperature control, and packaging. Since plasma viral load results require samples to be cooled during transport to the lab to avoid clotting, the new technology will make it possible to transport samples over long distances.
The test simplifies blood collection and sample transportation by requiring only a small amount of a patient’s blood to be collected from a fingertip.
Head of Management Centre South Africa Duncan Mackay says: “Kenya is part of the countries that will be used for evaluation of the tests and by next year, we will have the tests launched in the country.”
He adds that the plasma separation card allows for reliable quantitative testing of patients living with HIV in remote areas and even areas of extreme heat and humidity.
He was speaking during the launch of the second viral load testing machine at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri).
A viral load test is needed to predict the disease progression, evaluate the time to begin antiretroviral therapy and response to therapy.
The machine can handle up to 960 samples within an eight-hour shift compared to the one-month span it traditionally took patients to get results.
The Cobas 8800 instrument installed at the Kemri costs Sh50 million and is the second to be installed in the country. It has a capacity to test more than 300,000 Kenyans living with HIV annually.
The World Health Organisation recommends viral load tests to assess the impact of HIV treatment efforts as the primary method for monitoring response to treatment.
The machine, which requires minimal interactions, can also test for Hepatitis B and C using the same blood sample.
Previously the Kemri operated a 24-hour shift — alternating between child HIV diagnosis and viral load monitoring — to meet the workload demands. This caused a delay in releasing viral load results.
Mr Mackay said the test would run hand-in-hand with the Cobas Plasma Separation Card.
He said when the blood is transported from the remote regions to institutions such as the Kemri, many Kenyans would get timely, accurate, specific, efficient and reliable test results.
Mr Mackay said a set-up of a similar device in Kisumu has significantly increased viral load tests over the past two years of operations.
He said the machine would make it possible meet the UNAids 90:90:90 goals, which targets that by 2020, 90 per cent of people living with HIV will know their status, 90 per cent of these will receive sustainable antiretroviral treatment and 90 per cent of patients on treatment will have sustainable suppression of their virus.
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