WATER LAB

SWAP has a sustainable water quality lab established in 2007 undertaking bacteriological and full chemical water tests. Bacteriological analysis is done at KES 3,000 and full chemical analysis is KES 7,000. The technology for bacteriological analysis are membrane filtration and quantitray techniques (IDEXX methods). For chemical analysis we are using HACH methods through the spectrophotometer which can test up to 150 parameters. The lab is an essential asset for local, national and international research partners enabling them to evaluate WASH products, innovations and technologies. One of these technologies is the STREAM chlorine generator which is producing 1% of sodium hypochlorite using electricity, water and salt. This is essential for infection prevention and control and is installed at 7 health care facilities. SWAP’s lab has been used for diseases surveillance by the Ministry of Health.  SWAP has worked in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Chicago to do COVID-19 waste water based epidemiology which has supported scientists and county department of health to provide advisories and plan for preventive COVID-19 interventions and surveillance. The technology used is PCR testing which also enabled the lab to test other parameters in waste water. SWAP received Kenya Bureau of Standards approval to start the production, distribution and monitoring of alcohol-based hand rub and liquid soap which supported the COVID-19 response at health care facilities, community hot spot areas and schools. These products are also sold through social marketing by community health volunteers and to WASH partners responding to flood, COVID-19 and other disease outbreaks. The lab team consist of a lab manager and three lab technologists who are well trained on all the latest technologies. The lab is also a training hub for local and international students. The research at the water lab has contributed to several publications in international peer reviewed journals.

PARASITOLOGY LAB

In 2017 we opened a Parasitology Laboratory to support research.  Since then, we have been offering over 5 years of progressive technical expertise in Human Health Research in Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and WASH surveys. We work collaboratively and in partnership with key stakeholders such as Centre for Disease Control and Prevention-Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria (CDC-DPDM), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education Both at National and Regional levels. We have demonstrated experience in Laboratory Management and Diagnostics Methodologies/Assays e.g., Parasitological, Immunological/Molecular, Biochemistry on Blood, Urine, and Stool Samples using Currently WHO recommended and validated Target Products Profiles (TPP). We have also incorporated Radiological technology e.g., Ultrasound as a method of detecting morbidities associated with Bilharzia and other Soil Transmitted Helminthes. We have a highly skilled staff who can offer capacity building trainings on various technologies open for local and international organization and students and also Consultancy assignments.