The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has welcomed the launch of the state-of-the-art rapid test kit production facility in Kilifi.

The facility equipped through a co-funding mechanism between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Revital Healthcare will have the capacity to produce 20 million test kits a month.

These 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.

Speaking during the launch, KEMRI Director General and CEO Elijah Songok said the institute will now have a local supplier of kits that they will be using in their research and developement.

Songok revealed that KEMRI has already signed and MOU with Revital in supplying of the kits.

" As KEMRI we usually do research and innovation of diagnostic kits, vaccines and medicines and we have always been looking for a company or facility that will produce them in mass and I believe that we now have got the right partner through Revital." said Songok.

Adding " On our part we will be  supporting them in evaluation and testing in microorganisms, so you see this will help us work together."

On his part Revital Healthcare Chairman noted Rajni Vora, “Our goal is to ensure that we produce 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."

The launch of the new facility was also attended by  U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman , Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha, Kilifi Governor Gedion Mng'aro among other leaders.

USAID’s partnership with Revital Healthcare will see the company significantly increase its production volumes which will in turn boost export volumes to Uganda, Tanzania, DRC, South Sudan, and Congo while establishing a commercial presence in Nigeria and Ethiopia through product registration and certification.

Additionally, the facility will create 200 new full-time jobs with 80% being women while having a focus on speech and hearing-impaired individual.

Rivatex currently distributes it's products to 32 countries in the world, 19 in Africa.