The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has rolled out a van set to serve as a mobile mortuary in the counties of Kisumu and Siaya.
In a ceremony led by Ag. DG Prof. Elijah Songok, KEMRI launched the Minimal Invasive Testing Sampling procedure van which will be used for children’s health and mortality prevention surveillance study.
The van, according to the Institute, is equipped with all the necessary tools to conduct an autopsy.
Prof Songok said the van will traverse the two counties to conduct postmortem on bodies of children under the age of five who die in their homes or outside health facilities to find out the causes of their death.
Speaking during the function on Wednesday, February 28, KEMRI’s boss said the van will be crucial to tackling child mortality by helping to find results about the prevalent causes of deaths.
In his remarks, Dr. Richard Omore, the study’s principal investigator explained that the van will look to collect bodies within 24 hours and ensure that KEMRI’s officials take samples from the bodies before they decompose.
Thereafter, the Institute will relay results about what caused the death of a child to family members within 30 days after analysis in the laboratory.
“It has to take samples from a child within 24 hours. If we have to take samples beyond 24 hours the child would have decomposed and we will not be able to take actual pathogens or possible causes of the death,” Dr. Richard Omore said.
Also Read: Johansen Oduor Finally Reveals What Killed Kelvin Kiptum
Features of autopsy van launched by KEMRI
According to the Research body, the van valued at Ksh10 million was donated by the Gates Foundation. It is fitted with among other features, an autopsy table resembling that of the normal mortuaries, coolers, and several other hygine features.
Additionally, the Institute has partnered with organizations including the CHAMPS, a global network that generates, collects, analyzes and shares data to reduce child mortality in regions where it is highest to come up with data on the actual causes of child mortalities in Kisumu and Siaya.
So far, according to KEMRI boss Prof Songok, similar studies are being conducted in Asia, Bangladesh, Latin America and some African countries.
Also Read: 5 Questions & Answers on New Health Fund Replacing NHIF
Kisumu and Siaya Counties are some of the counties with highest child mortality rates in the country and hence the focus.
In a statement, KEMRI noted that pneumoniae is the leading cause of death in children alongside other factors including malnutrition, malaria, HIV, congenital malformation and sepsis.
“A study christened CHAMPS Health conducted by KEMRI in Kisumu and Siaya counties led by PI Richard Omore identify Klebsiella pneumoniae as the leading cause of death in children. It also identifies malnutrition, malaria, HIV, congenital malformation & sepsis as top killers,” KEMRI reported.
