Kenya launches telemedicine technology for detection of coronavirus

Kenya's main referral hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital, has launched a telemedicine technology center for detection of coronavirus, the first of its kind in Africa.

Announcing the development on Sunday, Mutahi Kagwe, the health cabinet secretary, said the facility, which will provide quick diagnosis of coronavirus using a 64 slice CT scan, will enable interpretation of CT scans from across the 47 counties.

Through the technology, Kagwe said major operations will soon be done in Kenya by local doctors in cooperation with their counterparts from other parts of the world, instead of sending patients overseas.

"I reiterate our appreciation of the cooperation through the Chinese government, organizations and business credibility that is there internationally," he said.

He said the government is doing everything possible to ensure that the first line medical care staff, including nurses, are well trained for protection.

Nicholas Gumbo, the chairman of Kenyatta National Hospital, said the technology can do scans in three to five minutes per patient and it will be a 24-hour service.

"We will use big data, connectivity and artificial intelligence to aid real time interpretation of CT scan images for early diagnosis and management of all medical cases," Gumbo said.

He said the launch of the facility, which will also be used for training, is an indication that Kenya is leaving nothing for chances in confronting and defeating the deadly coronavirus.

"Through the facility, we will be able to share experiences with Wuhan, Beijing, France, and Egypt among others," Gumbo said.