Having the right equipment is a crucial part of being able to provide adequate and timely medical care. Accurate and quick lab tests are key to administering correct and expeditious diagnoses. When the biochemistry analyzer at Brother Andre Hospital (BAH) in Nairobi, Kenya, broke down, the laboratory suddenly found itself at risk of delaying patient care and losing needed revenue to keep itself going.

“The analyzer is essential equipment in analyzing vital chemistry blood tests for admitted acute patients at BAH. E.g., checking bilirubins, creatinine, proteins,” Samuel (Sam) Guamba, the Hospital Administrator, told the Holy Cross Mission Center (HCMC). “Referring the samples has detrimental effects, such as delaying patient management and a possible misdiagnosis. There’s also revenue and client loss in the long run.”

“When the old machine broke down and we realized it was not repairable anymore, we found ourselves in crisis as we could not turn away patients, but we were forced to refer our lab tests to another lab at a cost,” Guamba said. “This denied the facility the much-needed revenue to run her operations … Chemistry tests are frequently ordered by BAH clinicians and walk-ins.”

Opened in 1978, Brother Andre Hospital provides a range of essential care through a variety of clinics and wards, including maternity and pediatric wards; outpatient and specialized clinics, such as orthopedics and physiotherapy; and cervical cancer screening services. Being able to support these clinics through their laboratory is important for streamlined care.

Guamba noted that a functioning biochemistry analyzer could potentially benefit over 30,000 patients. “Our deepest concern,” he said, however, “is for the acute patients and expectant mothers. All our [Cesarean section] mothers require some chemistry tests done on them before proceeding to [the surgical] theatre. It is risky not to have the tests done on them at the right time.”

So, the hospital submitted a formal project proposal to the HCMC, asking for funds to purchase a new biochemistry analyzer. Due to the generosity of donors, the Mission Center was able to provide the $11,800 needed to purchase a Mindray brand biochemistry analyzer.

In just the first 3 months since the new machine’s installation, the laboratory ran 1,250 tests on 610 patients. “The number is expected to increase every month as we continue to test more patients who visit our facility,” Guamba told the Mission Center. He also noted, “Our turnaround time has improved thereby improving our customer satisfaction, including those referred to us by other facilities.”

Moving forward, the laboratory plans to take prudent steps in order to prevent a repeat experience of finding themselves without functioning testing equipment. Guamba says they plan to “review equipment lifespan regularly to make sure we don’t find ourselves in the same situation,” and they are also reallocating funds, such that “some of the revenue generated can replace the equipment in future.”

Published by Paula Lent, Digital Media Intern
June 2025