The National Microbiology Reference laboratory (NMRL) is a reference laboratory established with the mandate to offer reference microbiology services to ensure quality of results. The laboratory is located on the first floor in the NPHL Block A building.
Mandate
The mandate of National Microbiology Reference Laboratory includes:
Laboratory based surveillance
The laboratory works closely with public officer to help in early detection of diseases through testing quality of water, food samples and environmental samples
Capacity building
The laboratory offers training and mentorship to county laboratories. It also offers training to students from universities, and other relevant Institutions
Disease outbreak investigations
The laboratory participates in national disease outbreak investigation and works closely with the Division of Disease Surveillance Response (DDSR) unit and Field epidemiology laboratory training program
AMR surveillance
The laboratory acts as a reference laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) surveillance
Molecular testing
The laboratory also does genomic characterization of organisms
Bacteriology proficiency test (PT) panels production
The laboratory produces and offers PT panels to 40 county and faith-based laboratories under Kenya External Quality Assessment Scheme (KNEQAS)
Specialized diagnostic testing
The laboratory offers phenotypic characterization and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) testing by use of modern semi -automated equipment and sero- typing
Laboratory sections
- Clinical: Culture and sensitivity on clinical samples, efficacy test for detergents, environmental swabs,
- Public health i.e. food and water: Bacteriology analysis of food and water
- Media preparation: Media preparation of all laboratory processes
- Quality assurance: Production of Proficiency testing, quality control of new batch of media and reagents
- Molecular Testing: Genomic characterization of clinical organisms
Ongoing projects and implementing partners
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Surveillance
Fleming fund
- Provide equipment, reagents and consumables to NPHL
- Train surveillance lab staff – specimen processing, bacterial ID, AST, reporting, biosafety and biosecurity, QC
- Appropriate renovation of surveillance labs
- Support internal Quality Control and EQA
- Support mentorship of clinical staff in surveillance sites on better microbiology
- Support development of anti- biogram to guide empirical antibiotic use
FIND
- Support AMR data management
- Establishment of one health AMR dashboard
ICAP
Recruit, and deploy two project staff at NMRL
Laboratory manager profile
Jedidah Kahura is a Laboratory Manager at the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory (NMRL) and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in medical laboratory sciences and a diploma in medical laboratory sciences.
She has worked in the National Microbiology laboratory for over 20 years gaining a lot of knowledge and skill in the area.
Test menu
Test | Walk-in/Referral service | Free/chargeable | Cost (if chargeable) | Expected TAT |
Bacteriological water analysis | Walk-in | Chargeable | Kshs.2000/- | 5 days |
Bacteriological food analysis | Walk-in | Chargeable | Kshs.3500/- | 7 days |
Analysis of samples for outbreak responses | Referral | Free | N/A | 5 days |
Clinical samples for surveillance activities | Referral | Free | N/A | 5 days |
Analysis samples for efficacy | Walk-in | Chargeable | Kshs.1000/- | 2 days |
PCR | Referral | Free | N/A | 10 days |
Environmental swab | Walk-in | Chargeable | Kshs.1000/- | 3 days |
List of accreditations/licensure
- ISO 15189:2012 for Medical laboratories requirement for quality and competence
- ISO 17043:2010 for Conformity assessment ;General requirements for proficiency testing
Contact us
+254724574012
nphl.nmrl@gmail.com