Kilifi County witnesses a groundbreaking moment in healthcare as Revital Healthcare EPZ Ltd officially inaugurated largest rapid tests kit production facility, signaling a significant leap forward in Kenya’s pharmaceutical manufacturing landscape.
Through a co-funding mechanism between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Revital Healthcare, the facility will have the capacity to produce 20 million test kits a month.
The test kits include HIV-1/2, Malaria P.f/Pan, HCG, Hepatitis B/C, Dengue, and Syphilis among others. Revital Healthcare is the first end-to-end manufacturer of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) across Sub-Saharan Africa, with these kits intended to reach a population of over a billion across the continent.
Revital Healthcare EPZ Ltd is also a trailblazer in East and Central Africa, manufacturing critical medical devices addressing respiratory challenges in neonates and infants without requiring electricity. With respiratory distress claiming nearly 1.1 million neonatal lives annually globally, Revital’s breakthrough holds profound implications for pediatric healthcare.
Speaking at the event, Health Cabinet Secretary Nakhumicha S. Wafula underscored the critical role of a resilient supply chain in ensuring the seamless availability and accessibility of essential health products and technologies (HPT).
“HPTs are pivotal in achieving Universal Health Coverage. Our Ministry’s mission is to secure HPTs through cost reduction, promoting local manufacturing, and refining public health procurement processes for enhanced efficiency,” affirmed CS Nakhumicha.
The CS applauded the launch of the new facility, saying it will help in reducing cost of purchasing the medical kits.
“We were used to exporting these kits from outside but I believe now it will cheaper to get them since they will be locally produced and also offer jobs to our youths.”” said Nakhumicha.
According to Revital Healthcare Chairman Rajni Vora, Revital goal is to ensure that Kenya produces testing technology that is efficient and affordable across the continent.
“We have expanded to become the largest manufacturer of medical devices on the African continent with a manufacturing capacity of 2.1 billion medical devices per year, including manufacturers of Africa’s 1 st USFDA certified and patented auto-disable syringes.”
Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Principal Secretary for the State Department of Industry, speaking on behalf of Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry Rebecca Miano, accentuated Kenya’s potential as a pharmaceutical manufacturing hub. He urged local manufacturers to seize the opportunities presented by President Ruto’s administration.
Dignitaries, including the United States Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, and Kilifi County Governor Gideon Mung’aro, grace the occasion, emphasizing the global significance of this milestone in healthcare innovation
