Two years after the start of the pandemic, Kenya has not yet approved the use of rapid antigen swabs on national ground.
In the days in which the Italian government announced that in order to re-enter the country it would be enough to have a certified rapid test (like those that are done in pharmacies in Europe), Kenya, which with such a test would also get foreigners out of its territory, is not equipped with antigens that give the result in 30 minutes, maximum 1 hour.
For those accessing hospital facilities or in approved laboratories where a certificate of negativity or otherwise for Covid-19 virus is obtained, there is only the option of PCR testing. Anyone who is symptomatic, has come into contact with a sick person, must comply or end a period of isolation or undertake a journey, has no choice but that and often, if you are in a hurry and want to avoid queues or assemblages in public hospitals, it is a very expensive choice: from Kes. 7500 to 11,000 per swab in private laboratories, on average in short 75 euros. The same costs are applied periodically by employers for their employees, hoteliers and operators of tourism, transport and services to the public of all kinds.
Needless to say that it is a business and that the antigenic, for its low costs and the possibility to use it at least for all the cases not strictly related to international relations or important health issues, would be cheaper and faster.
That's why a pool made up of a hundred civil activist groups, clinics and experts has asked the Ministry of Health to take action to introduce self-taping kits in the country, asking the World Health Organization to provide guidelines for accessing the rapid swab. At present, in Kenya, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, the body that regulates the marketing of pharmaceutical products, has confirmed that it has not approved the importation of any self-testing kits.
In a letter to the UN health agency published in the media, the consortium urged WHO to recommend self-testing for Covid-19.
"We specifically ask WHO to expedite the finalization and release of a self-testing guideline for SARS-CoV-2 infection that includes a strong recommendation in favor of widespread access to self-testing," they wrote, "in order to broadly improve access to diagnostics. One of the main things we have learned is that the faster all cases are found, tested, and isolated, the more difficult it will be to spread this virus. This principle will save lives and mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic."
Rapid antigens are the best self-testing out there and the most cost-effective, thus suitable for Kenya and its population, which with accessibility could also increase prevention and safety, as well as reduce time to action and resolution of work, family and community issues.
"We understand that the guideline development process is still ongoing," the statement continues, "but in the meantime we emphasize the urgency of making an immediate statement in favor of this important tool for Covid-19 control.