We acted promptly in 2020, despite the many pressures and bottlenecks induced by the COVID-19 pandemic on the supply chain worldwide. We mobilised a lot of capital to setup and deploy more than 10 PCR platforms by creating laboratories dedicated to combatting COVID-19.”

The words of Stéphane Carré, CEO of Cerba Lancet Africa and Vice President International for Cerba Healthcare lay bare both the international challenges of the past two years, as well as the company’s ability to adapt and operate all over Africa, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cerba Lancet Africa is a clinical pathology and medical imaging laboratory service provider serving over three million patients per year. The company has the largest amount of diagnostics equipment in Africa, as a private operator, with laboratory facilities ranging from basic level to the most advanced across the continent. On top of this, Cerba Lancet Africa provides medical logistics and regulatory services to ensure the provision of high-quality equipment and services supported to African communities in a multitude of different countries.

“Cerba Lancet Africa is the leading network of clinical pathology and medical diagnosis in Africa, with the ambition to become the leading diagnostic services provider offering world-class standards of pathology services to patients and medical communities across the continent,” S. Carré tells us.

Cerba Lancet Africa operates a network of 170 sites, across Botswana, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Eswatini, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, ensuring each facility is conveniently located for the communities. The company offers a portfolio of over 4,000 pathology testing services ranging from routine screening tests to highly specialised clinical testing for research, screening, industrial, and occupational health, under the direction of more than 20 pathologists. Cerba Lancet Africa’s pathologists assist doctors in making diagnoses and taking informed decisions, and this allows doctors to tailor appropriate treatments about their patients’ health or any medical conditions

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Confirmation of detectability of the new mutated variants of SARS-CoV-2 using Seegene AllplexTM 2019-nCoV PCR Assay at Pathologists Lancet Kenya_PLK

We are pleased to confirm that the new mutated variants of SARS-COV-2, including the B.1.1.7 UK variant and the SA variant, can be detected with the AllplexTM 2019-nCoV PCR Assay that is used at Pathologists Lancet Kenya_PLK.

*Specialized in-silico analysis by Seegene has confirmed that the COVID-19 PCR test covers the new variants of SARS-CoV-2 virus specifically including the B.1.1.7 lineage that emerged in the United Kingdom (UK variant) and also the B.1.351 lineage that emerged in South Africa (SA variant).

The Seegene AllPlexTM Assay is able to detect these variants because the assays are designed to detect individual multiple gene targets of SARS-CoV-2 simultaneously.

It therefore means that we are rest assured of being able to diagnose those infected with COVID-19 using PCR test on swab samples collected and tested with the highly sensitive and specific PCR assay employed at Pathologists Lancet Kenya_PLK - as the assay is able to detect both the old and the SARS-CoV-2

*The in-silico analysis showed that no mismatches were found in RdRP gene region, while few mismatches were found in the S gene region, but despite the few mismatches, the overall detectability of Seegene COVID-19 assays may not be affected by these mutations. Whereas the sensitivity variances can be affected by the mismatches, these are expected to be limited because of the complimentary multiple oligonucleotides(oligo) for each gene region in the assays. Further detailed information about the in-silico analysis can be availed from Seegene.

ABOUT THE SARS-COV-2 RT-PCR TEST AT PATHOLOGISTS LANCET KENYA

At Pathologists Lancet Kenya_PLK we've exclusively used the Seegene AllplexTM 2019-nCoV assay since April 2020 and conducted over 100,000 tests as at 25th of January 2021.

The Seegene AllplexTM assay is a reverse-transcriptase (rt) real-time (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that is a nucleic acid amplication test (NAAT) for detection of viral RNA for SARS-CoV-2 the virus that causes COVID-19.

The Seegene AllplexTM PCR assay has a unique feature that identies 3 different target genes (E, RdRP and N genes) in a single reaction tube which allows for highly accurate results and maximizes the throughput for high volume testing.

The Seegene AllplexTM RT-PCR assay is FDA-approved and has been independently evaluated by FIND “Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics” scoring it at 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity

Technical information on the SARS-COV-2 RT-PCR Test at Pathologists Lancet Kenya_PLK

• The Seegene Allplex rtRT-PCR assay is an automated molecular test at PLK that utilizes three target genes protocol (rather than two or single gene assay protocol) in deciding the SARS-COV-2 status on a sample analyzed in a single reaction tube as multiplex PCR test per sample, thus serving as both screening and confirmatory test.
• The interpretation of results is as per manufacturer's recommendation and in-line with WHO guideline that “In areas where COVID-19 virus is widely spread a simpler algorithm might be adopted in which, for example, screening by rtRTPCR of a single discriminatory target is considered sufcient (The viral genes targeted so far include the N, E, S and RdRP genes)”.
• The Segeene Allplex assay is duly approved by Ministry of Health's regulatory bodies and validated against NIC laboratory and Lancet Laboratories South Africa
• The PCR tests at PLK's Main Lab, which is registered and licensed as a National Class F Reference Laboratory by KMLTTB, are conducted by trained medical laboratory technologists who are also licensed by KMLTTB, with supervision from a PhD Molecular Scientist Doctor and several pathologists who work as a team to check and ensure accuracy of results.
• Automated data interpretation and LIS interlocking with the proprietary Seegene Viewer software enables a seamless and rapid review of results with intelligent interpretation.
• Accurate interpretation of the SARS-COV-2 PCR test results is enabled by the Seegene Viewer software which is designed to automate data analysis for multiplex real-time PCR assay allowing identication and differentiation for both Ct value of multiple targets in a single channel as well as melting curve analysis.
• The results from automated interpretation on Seegene Viewer are further reviewed by a laboratory technologist and pathologist on the Seegene Viewer before results are interfaced to the LIMS and additionally reviewed for release of the report with applicable interpretative comments as relevant based on clinical and epidemiological information.
• At PLK we interpret and report any viral target gene detected with a Ct lower or equal to the cut-off of 40 as positive. Ct > 40 is considered negative.
• Single gene results with high Ct values (low viral RNA levels) are issued with comments to highlight the possible implication of the results which include a sample at concentrations near or below the limit of detection of the target gene not amplied or a mutation in the corresponding target gene not amplied.
• From experience, the cases with single-gene only or low viral load are often seen in late-stage of infection but can also be seen early in the infection, thus it is important to correlate clinically and epidemiologically
• Our PCR laboratory has been continuously undertaking internal quality control and also participated in local and international external quality assurance (EQA) since May 2020
• We have consistently scored 100% in all the different EQA programs in over 10 consecutive cycles that include the LGC Thistle, NPHLS-MOH, KEMRI and RCPAQA prociency testing programs
• In addition, PLK has undergone onsite inspection and audit by experts from Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) and Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KLMTTB) whose reports confirmed the accuracy and validity of our test results
• Our laboratory was the rst in Africa - in August 2020, and so far the only in the region, to receive ISO15189 accreditation specic for COVID-19 PCR test.

References

• https://www.fda.gov/media/137178/download
• https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/330676
• http://www.seegene.com/covid19_detection
• http://www.seegene.com/assays/allplex_2019_ncov_assay

Government of Kenya officially confirms pathologists Lancet Kenya as an accredited lab for Covid-19 testing

The government has issued an official confirmation that Pathologists Lancet Kenya is among the laboratories accredited to conduct COVID-19 testing in the country as the Ministry of Health strives to expand testing of Kenyans to help curb the pandemic.

A communication by the Ministry's Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth dated 24th April, 2020 reads: “Pathologists Lancet Kenya like the other laboratories has validated its PCR assays for COVID-19 against the National Influenza Centre (NIC) which uses recommended primers and probes from the World Health Organization (WHO).”

“The Ministry of Health appreciates the contributions of all the various laboratories that have been validated to conduct COVID-19 testing in the country and whose results form part of the daily tally that the Ministry shares with the public.”

In response, Lancet’s Group MD and Consultant Pathologist Dr. Ahmed Kalebi said: “We are committed to supporting government's efforts in enhancing COVID-19 testing as that’s the key pathway of tackling this global pandemic effectively.”

He added: “Lancet obtained the government's approval on 4th April after which we launched testing locally on April 6th 2020. Since then, we’ve conducted more than 1700 PCR tests for COVID-19 despite the initial challenges of securing testing kits and reagents from our global suppliers. We currently have capacity to process between 180-270 samples a day with room to scale up to over 1000 samples a day as demand may dictate. The Turn-Around-Time for the tests is 24 hours.”

The lab employs various sample collection methods for COVID-19 testing including the drive-through system in which patients are attended to whilst in their cars; this is meant to cut potential risks of disease transmission to others. Lancet’s COVID-19 testing is offered only to patients referred by their doctors based on case definition or risk factors with priority given to hospitalized patients, those with underlying conditions, the elderly as well as healthcare workers.

Edwin Mosongo, Business Development & Marketing Manager 0724 702 040 / 0703 061 000 Edwin.mosongo@lancet.co.ke

ABOUT PATHOLOGISTS LANCET KENYA

Pathologists Lancet Kenya is an internationally-accredited laboratory that is ISO15189 certified since 2010. We’re duly registered and licensed as a Class F National Reference Laboratory by the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB) as well as the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC). Pathologists Lancet Kenya is the first and only World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-approved lab in Sub-Saharan Africa since August 2018.Our branch network spreads across the country to ensure maximum coverage to our clients with other value-added services such as home collections and Courier services, aimed at personalized and convenient care.

All the laboratories undertaking PCR testing for COVID-19, both Government and private laboratories, have validated their PCR assays against the laboratory assay at the National Influenza Center (NIC) which uses recommended primers and probes from the World Health Organization.

Pathologists Lancet Kenya ('Lancet') liek the other laboratories has validated its assay against NIC and successfullly luanched its PCR test locally on 6th of April 2020.

Lancet's Main Laboratory in Nairboi is duly registered and licensed to practise by the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLLTB) and the Kenya Medical Practicioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC). Lancet is also ISO15189 certified by SANAS.

The Ministry of Health appreciates the contribtions of all the various laboratories that have been validated to conduct COVID-19 testing in the country and whose results form part of the daily tally that the ministry shares with the public.

Download Letter from MOH for Covid-19 Testing

Goodlife Pharmacy and the Lancet Group of Labs ink deal to offer quality lab tests

Goodlife Pharmacy and the Lancet Group of Labs have inked a collaborative partnership deal that will, from this month, see Lancet establish and operate laboratory patient service centres within selected Goodlife Pharmacy stores to enable easier, better and more convenient access to quality lab test services to patients and health consumers.

In his speech, Dr. Kalebi explained how the innovative partnership brings together Goodlife’s and Lancet’s mutual objective to provide a differentiated new level of quality services closer to the people who won’t need to necessarily go to medical facilities such hospitals or medical clinics to access lab tests. Through this partnership with Goodlife’s growing network, Lancet’s laboratory footprint will be doubled across Kenya, enabling patients and health consumers to access a wide range of quality laboratory services in a convenient and comfortable setting where they frequent during their regular routines.

In his speech, Mr. Amaan Khalfan, emphasized on how the two brands are associated with quality and excellence in services, which formed the natural attraction for the partnership. He expressed his excitement on how this partnership will ensure that Goodlife customers will be able to now access internationally accredited laboratory testing in the convenience of Goodlife Pharmacy stores unlike other pharmacies that run tests without having duly registered laboratories.

The first six (6) Lancet@Goodlife patient service centres have already been set-up at Greenspan Mall, Ridgeways mall Kiambu, Valley Arcade Mall Lavington, Langata Road Karen, Rupa’s Mall Eldoret and Westgate Mall in Westlands. These will be followed by more than 30 other centres expected to be launched this year in Kenya and in Uganda.

These lab service centres are being co-branded “Lancet at Goodlife” or “Lancet@Goodlife” labs, offering lab services to patients in easily accessible, secure, convenient and comfortable environments provided by Goodlife stores, whereby patients will be served in dedicated and customised phlebotomy rooms located within selected Goodlife stores across the country. Patients and health consumers will also be able to check-in at the pharmacy store and be reviewed at the lab patient service centre. All samples will be collected professionally, handled to the highest possible standards, and sent to an accredited Lancet laboratory facility where tests will be carried out, with results availed to the patient and designated doctor electronically.

With the convenient location of Goodlife stores, this partnership will enable patients coming from seeing their doctors with lab and pharmacy prescriptions, to access both services with one visit.

About Goodlife:

Goodlife Pharmacy is a fast-growing Pharmacy and health hub and only one of its kind in East Africa. Founded in 2013, the company provides trusted pharmaceuticals, personal care and beauty products to customers across the population from its convenient locations – with a total reach of over 1.2 million people.

Goodlife also offers a range health services including Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, Body Mass Index, Malaria and Family Nutrition, Doctor Consultations, Laboratory Services in selected locations.

About Lancet:

Pathologists Lancet Kenya Limited is part of the Lancet Group of Laboratories, originally founded in South Africa and home-grown in Africa to become a leading pathology laboratory service in the continent.

They provide vital diagnostic, monitoring and screening testing from routine to specialised and esoteric tests through standalone laboratory facilities and in partnership with other institutions/organizations.

Committed to providing diagnostic excellence, Lancet adhere to international criteria set out according to ISO Standard 15189 in all our service points. Our main laboratory is ISO15189 certified and accredited by SANAS since 2010, while our other key branch laboratories are accredited by KENAS.

The 2021 National Customers’ Choice Awards recognizes the brand that consistently delivers quality products or services to its customers and honors companies and individuals who go that extra mile for their customers .

The awards event was organized by KN Unique Communications, one of the leading corporate events management companies in Ghana, with brand engagement across the world on the 15th of October, 2021.

A total of 30 companies and 4 individuals were honoured at the 2021 National Customers’ Choice Awards Ghana which seeks to recognize outstanding businesses through the lens of the customer.

Oheneba Kwabena Kena, the Event Director noted that “It is a true reflection of the marketplace as it represents the views of consumers and buyers across the nation. This award recognizes the brand that consistently delivers a high level of service to its customers. Each year, the KN Unique Communications will recognize the best companies for their earnest efforts in business excellence and keeping the customer’s best interests in mind.”

He stated that “The National Customers’ Choice Awards Ghana (NCCAG) is an event organized to solely recognize business excellence by conducting a comprehensive and objective accurate independent market research survey, to determine brand reputation, customer satisfaction and business excellence for the quality of their service, value, professionalism and integrity.”

MDS Lancet Laboratories Ltd won Customers’ Choice Medical Diagnostic Company Of The Year.

Gold Star Kenya and Pathologists Lancet Kenya have entered into a strategic partnership that will see over 100 private health facilities linked to Pathologists Lancet Kenya from all over the country. The facilities under Gold Star Kenya Network franchise will benefit from quality assured and affordable lab tests provided by Pathologists Lancet Kenya.  

Speaking on behalf of Pathologists Lancet Kenya, Managing Director and CEO Mwende Musunga said, “One of our key objectives is to increase quality diagnostic care to patients through strategic partnerships, and being part of this healthcare network will ensure patients live healthy lives. We are delighted that with this partnership, we will be able to achieve our goal by increasing accessibility to quality diagnosis to a wider pool of patients."

In the past, Gold Star Kenya and Pathologists Lancet Kenya have worked together to improve HIV services through quality assured and subsidized HIV testing services including HIV treatment to reduce viral load to undetectable levels.

 “We are excited about this partnership and for us, at Gold Star Kenya, multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary collaboration is the future solution to gaining ground in private health sector quality service delivery. Our widespread Gold Star private sector network of health facilities and medical practitioners and most importantly – the patients (our primary beneficiaries) will now be able to access high-quality and affordable lab tests from a globally reputable and accredited firm, Pathologists Lancet Kenya,” said Dr. Nyawira Gitahi, Executive Director, Gold Star Kenya.  

The private sector in the past has not had adequate support to address the challenges of quality, high cost of lab tests, infrastructure, and sample referral networking. Over the past year, there has been reduced funding in the supply chain which has resulted in many patients in both public and private facilities not being able to access viral tests as prescribed in policy guidelines. 

Dr. Charles Wahome, Chief Pathologist at Pathologists Lancet Kenya said, “In today’s world, we have innovative ways of testing for diseases such as HIV/AIDS. The availability of resources, and expertise have enabled us to advance our offering in different diagnosis and also venture into this partnership. We strongly believe in offering patients quality tests to improve their health. We hope that with this partnership, we will continue to do so with the added pool of patients to our portfolio.”

 This collaboration will improve access to ISO 15189 accredited laboratory services covering HIV related tests (Viral Load), Antenatal care profile, among many other tests. This will positively impact the quality of diagnosis and access to safe health care services in the private sector. 

Gold Star Kenya is a leading local Kenyan NGO implementing quality sustainable community health and development programs that cover reproductive, maternal, child, and adolescent health; HIV/TB, NCD, and nutrition. 

About Pathologists Lancet Kenya

Pathologists Lancet Kenya Ltd is a leading pathology and laboratory medicine service provider in Kenya with subsidiaries in Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. Pathologists Lancet Kenya provides vital diagnostic, monitoring, and screening testing from routine, to specialized and even esoteric tests across East Africa region.

Pathologists Lancet Kenya operates ethically, efficiently, and effectively, striving to continually improve its services by remaining at the cutting edge of technology while adhering to international criteria set out according to ISO Standard 15189. Regional referral and key hub laboratories in East Africa are all SANAS, KENAS or SADCAS accredited.

Pathologists Lancet Kenya is part of Cerba Lancet Africa, a leading network of clinical pathology and medical diagnosis in Africa, with the ambition to become the leading diagnostic services provider in Africa, bringing world-class standards of pathology services to patients and medical communities across the continent. Cerba Lancet Africa operated a network of 170+ laboratories across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana, Gabon, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

For further media queries kindly contact us via  communications@lancet.co.ke 

About Gold Star Kenya

Gold Star Kenya is a Non-Profit, local Non-Governmental Health Organization that focuses on empowering communities for better health and drawing its expertise from being involved in various projects in Kenya and collaborating with diverse public and private sector partners.

Gold Star Kenya aims at improving health outcomes of the communities as well as being positioned as an institution that stands for quality and results-driven interventions. It has achieved this primarily through its flagship social franchise health programs.

It was established and registered in Kenya in 2010 as a Non-Profit Health Organization and has its roots in the Gold Star Network (GSN), a social franchise initiative established in 2006 by Family Health International (FHI 360) to promote comprehensive HIV care and treatment through a Network of Private Healthcare Providers in Kenya. It leveraged on the capacities established through the implementation of the public sector HIV prevention, care, treatment, and support programs funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), GSN sought to expand access to quality services through innovative public-private partnerships.

Gold Star Kenya has continued to implement programs with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Safaricom Foundation, Triggerise, and in collaboration with the Government of Kenya and diverse partners that include Family Health International (FHI 360), PS Kenya, Toto Health and the various service providers that form the membership of the Gold Star Network.

GS Kenya’s current health programs target strengthening the healthcare systems, high quality integrated HIV/TB prevention, care, treatment, and management of priority health conditions that include Comprehensive Reproductive Health, for mothers, children, adolescents, and young women, economic empowerment activities, nutrition services as well as malaria management and addressing the growing burden of Diabetes and other non-communicable diseases. 

 This is done through the delivery of comprehensive health service interventions to key populations, and strengthening public-private partnerships for improved community linkages to products and services.