Revolutionising TB Diagnosis: High-tech machine delivers results in three hours
To mark TB Awareness Week, the facility is conducting free TB testing, aiming to reach those who might otherwise go undiagnosed.
For many Kenyans, the wait to confirm a tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis can be agonizing—sometimes taking weeks. This delay, driven by a growing backlog in culture testing, leaves patients in limbo, often starting treatment too late. Meanwhile, thousands unknowingly walk around with undiagnosed TB, putting themselves and others at risk.
The country’s healthcare system continues to struggle with the rising demand for timely TB testing. Many public health facilities still rely on traditional methods, which take days or even weeks to yield results. This has left many patients in a vulnerable position, worsening transmission rates and delaying treatment.
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However, advancements in diagnostic technology are offering a glimpse of hope. A laboratory by Dr. Ahmed Yakub Kalebi, popularly known as Dr Kalebi labs, has introduced a faster testing method that reduces the wait time to less than four hours. Unlike conventional tests, which require days for culture results, this approach enables early detection of TB exposure, increasing the chances of timely treatment.
To mark TB Awareness Week, the facility is conducting free TB testing, aiming to reach those who might otherwise go undiagnosed. The initiative comes at a critical time, as health experts warn that untreated TB remains one of the leading public health concerns, particularly in densely populated areas.
Dr. Kalebi, a consultant pathologist and the founder of Kalebi Labs, understands these challenges all too well. His newly accredited, ultramodern lab, which officially opened in January, is now working to change diagnosis. “This is not just another lab. It’s the first of its kind in Africa, equipped with some of the most advanced machines to handle a wide range of tests, including molecular pathology and routine diagnostics,” he says.
To mark TB Awareness Week, DR Kalebi Lab is conducting free TB testing, aiming to reach those who might otherwise go undiagnosed. (Photo: Charity Kilei)
As Kenya marks World TB Week, Kalebi Labs has partnered with organisations like the Centre for Health Solutions and the Respiratory Society of Kenya to raise awareness and expand access to testing. The goal is simple: catch TB early and stop its spread before it’s too late.
“TB testing is not just about diagnosing the sick—it’s about protecting the people around them,” Dr. Kalebi explains. “When someone is tested, they can receive the right treatment. More importantly, they don’t unknowingly infect others, including their own families.”
One of the biggest breakthroughs at Kalebi Labs is its molecular testing machine from Roche, a first of its kind in the region that can test hundreds of samples. Unlike conventional methods that take days or even weeks, this machine can detect TB within 3-4 hours, even in the smallest traces found in sputum, fluid, or other samples. “Most people only seek testing after weeks of persistent coughing,” Dr. Kalebi says. “But with this technology, we can detect the bacteria much earlier, giving patients a fighting chance.”
However, cost remains a major concern. In many private labs, TB tests range from KSh 8,000 to 10,000—an amount out of reach for many Kenyans. Kalebi Labs has managed to bring this cost down to KSh 6,000, but even that is still high for most. Public hospitals offer free testing, but they largely rely on donor funding, and recent funding cuts have led to overwhelming backlogs.
Most facilities use GeneXpert machines for TB testing, which are widely accepted as effective. However, Kalebi Labs has introduced a more advanced Roche system that not only diagnoses TB but also tests for resistance to common TB medications. “This is what sets us apart,” Dr. Kalebi says. “We don’t just diagnose TB—we also confirm whether the strain is resistant to treatment, which makes all the difference in managing the disease.”
As World TB Week comes to an end on March 31st, Dr. Kalebi and his team are urging Kenyans to prioritise testing. “PCR testing is the most sensitive and specific method we have,” he emphasizes. “TB treatment is long and can be toxic, so we must make sure we are treating those who truly have the disease.”
Dr Kalebil lab’s key strengths is its ability to deliver accurate and efficient results within just 3–4 hours. (Photo: Charity Kilei)
Abdulahi Muhammed, the senior lab manager at Kalebi Labs, highlights the importance of recognizing tuberculosis (TB) symptoms early. "A persistent cough, general body weakness, and unexplained weight loss can all be warning signs of TB. Early testing is crucial for timely treatment," he explains.
During TB Awareness Week, Kalebi Labs launched a free testing initiative, revealing just how widespread the issue is. "So far, we have tested over 500 Kenyans. Among them, around 50 cases of multidrug-resistant TB have been detected, with approximately 40 people testing positive for TB," Abdulahi shares.
One of the lab’s key strengths is its ability to deliver accurate and efficient results within just 3–4 hours. "We want people to know their TB status as soon as possible so they can seek treatment and protect their loved ones. We are continuously engaging with our partners to ensure TB awareness reaches more people," he adds. "TB is curable. We have effective medication, and early intervention is key in helping patients come to terms with their diagnosis and start treatment immediately."
Explaining the testing process, Abdulahi notes that even the smallest trace of TB can be detected using advanced technology. "Once we receive a sputum sample, we process it through various tests to extract and amplify the DNA using the Cobas 5800 machine from Roche. Even if the sample is mixed with saliva, we can still isolate and detect the TB bacteria," he explains.
Importantly, the lab also caters to children and those with difficulty producing sputum. "TB PCR testing can be done through different methods, including tissue and fluid analysis. We use a combination of techniques to ensure we provide timely and accurate results, enabling patients to get the necessary treatment," Abdulahi says.
Beyond testing, Kalebi Labs ensures follow-ups for those diagnosed. "Once the results are ready, we communicate with the patients and connect them with the appropriate healthcare professionals for treatment. An undiagnosed TB case puts many others at risk, which is why awareness and testing are so critical," he emphasizes.
Nancy, a first-time visitor to Kalebi Labs, is among those who took advantage of the free TB testing. "I heard about the initiative and decided to come and check my TB status in line with TB Awareness Month," she says. After providing her sample, she waits patiently for her results. "They have collected my sample, and I’ve been told to wait for 3–4 hours to know my status," she shares.
Like many others, Nancy admits she hadn’t given much thought to how TB is contracted. "I always thought TB was hereditary," she confesses. "But I now understand that it spreads through the air, and testing is important for my health and those around me."
Dr. Ahmed Yakub Kalebi, popularly known as Dr Kalebi labs, has introduced a faster testing method that reduces the wait time to less than four hours. (Charity Kilei)
With faster, more precise testing, Kalebi Labs is making a difference. By reducing wait times, improving accuracy, and ensuring that those diagnosed receive immediate care, the lab is not just identifying TB cases—it’s playing a vital role in the fight against the disease in Kenya.
USAID’s recent cuts in donor funding have caused widespread distress across Kenya’s TB programs, forcing many NGOs to shut down. With funding frozen since January, essential diagnostic services have come to a standstill, leaving thousands of sputum samples unprocessed for over 90 days.
According to Kenya’s Ministry of Health guidelines, TB samples should be tested within 24 hours, with culture results confirmed within six weeks. However, the backlog has pushed patients into uncertainty, increasing the risk of undetected TB spreading within communities. The counties worst affected by the crisis include Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Nakuru, Murang’a, and Marsabit.
Kenya remains among the top 20 high-burden TB and HIV countries, accounting for 80 percent of global TB cases. In 2023, the country recorded 124,000 TB cases and 15,000 deaths, making TB the leading cause of mortality.
Despite these challenges, Kenya had made significant strides in TB control before the funding crisis. The country reduced TB incidence by 41 percent and TB-related deaths by 60 percent. The adoption of digital tools, rapid diagnostics, and shorter, more effective treatments had been crucial in saving lives. However, with funding now withdrawn, these advancements are at risk of being reversed.
The latest WHO data shows that TB affected 10.8 million people in 2023, up from 10.7 million in 2022. Among these, 1.25 million were children, and nearly 1.2 million people lost their lives to the disease.
In Kenya, the impact of TB is disproportionately felt by men. According to Leaving No One Behind: Transforming Gendered Pathways to TB Care Health (LIGHT), 55 percent of TB cases occur in men, 33 percent in women, and 12 percent in children. The Global TB Report 2024 highlights that adult men have a 1.7 times higher risk of contracting TB than women, exposing deep gender disparities in disease burden.
Every day, approximately 340 people develop TB in Kenya. Of these, six in ten are men, three in ten are women, and one in ten is a child. Alarmingly, one in five TB patients misses out on treatment and care, further fueling transmission.
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