By Michelle Ndaga
Kenya is hosting the 2nd Africa Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) Special Convention on Diagnostics this week in Nairobi, bringing together scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, civil society representatives, and development partners.
The convention is themed “Strengthening Diagnostics, AMR Surveillance and Innovative Financing for Impact” and comes shortly after World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Week, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen Africa’s diagnostic capacity to combat AMR, improve early outbreak detection, and build resilient health systems.
Representing the Principal Secretary, State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Dr. Stephen Muleshe, Director for Public Health, reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to placing diagnostics at the centre of Primary Health Care (PHC), Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and national health security.
He highlighted Kenya’s progress over the past decade, including the expansion of laboratory networks, strengthened genomic and AMR surveillance, integration of diagnostics into PHC, and increased domestic investment in health emergency preparedness.
The convention is spotlighting innovations in diagnostic technologies, integrated surveillance models, and sustainable financing, including efforts to mobilise resources to accelerate AMR progress across the continent.
Dr. Muleshe commended ASLM for its leadership and expressed Kenya’s support for institutionalising the convention as a permanent platform for policy alignment, innovation sharing, and strengthening Africa’s diagnostic ecosystem.
“A stronger and more interconnected Africa begins with stronger diagnostics, and Kenya remains committed to leading and collaborating toward this shared vision,” he said, stressing the country’s dedication to advancing health security and resilient health systems across the continent.
