Patients battling infectious diseases in Kenya will now receive faster and more accurate diagnoses, thanks to new medical technology at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUH,N). The hospital has introduced the Vitek MS Prime, a state-of-the-art diagnostic platform from bioMérieux that identifies disease-causing organisms in just 30 minutes down from the previous eight to 18 hours.
The breakthrough technology uses MALDI-TOF (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight) mass spectrometry, enabling rapid detection of a wide range of microorganisms. These include bacteria, fungi, yeast, and hard-to-identify pathogens that cause serious illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, urinary tract infections, and gastroenteritis.
Unlike older systems with limited scope, the Vitek MS Prime can identify complex organisms such as anaerobic bacteria, filamentous fungi, and certain mycobacteria within minutes. This capability reduces the need to send samples abroad, a process that previously delayed results for weeks.
“This technology accelerates diagnosis, improves accuracy, and enables timely treatment—helping fight antimicrobial resistance and save patients unnecessary costs,” explained Dr. Shaheen Sayed, Chair of the Department of Pathology at AKUH,N.
The hospital is the first in Sub-Saharan Africa to acquire this advanced model, positioning Nairobi as a hub for cutting-edge infectious disease diagnostics. According to Rashid Khalani, CEO of AKUH,N, the development reflects the hospital’s commitment to patient-centred innovation and global partnerships.
The installation is part of the Centre of Excellence in Microbiology and Antimicrobial Stewardship Project, a collaboration between AKUH,N and the bioMérieux Global Academy. The initiative will also train teams in over 10 public hospitals across Kenya, strengthening the country’s capacity to fight infections and reduce misuse of antibiotics.
“The Vitek MS Prime will not only speed up diagnosis and care for our patients but also support the public health system,” noted Dr. Gunturu Revathi, Head of Clinical Microbiology at AKUH,N.
This milestone marks a major step in the region’s fight against infectious diseases and the growing global challenge of antimicrobial resistance.
