TB tests done at private clinics ‘not accurate’

One in every two Kenyans going for a tuberculosis test at private clinics is most likely getting false results due to the use of substandard kits.

Kenya is among 16 countries which use blood test for TB diagnosis — an option that has long been opposed by the World Health Organisation for its “unacceptable level of wrong results.”

“These tests were discouraged from use almost 20 years ago globally but 10 out of 18 types of strips are still in use in the private sector in Kenya today,” says Ms Lucy Chesire, one of the two Kenyan TB experts involved in a WHO study of the problem.

Ms Chesire argues the blood tests, charged at about Sh200, are a waste of money and life threatening as one could be treated for TB they never had or fail to be treated for the disease.

Traditional method

The other Kenyan in the team is Dr Jeremiah Muhwa Chakaya, a technical adviser to the National Leprosy and TB Programme in Kenya.

According to the head of the programme, Dr Joseph Sitienei, the blood tests are still being used in private hospitals.

In a statement issued last Wednesday, WHO wants the test banned and countries revert to the traditional sputum culturing for diagnosis.

“In the best interests of patients and caregivers in the private and public health sectors, WHO is calling for an end to the use of these blood tests to diagnose tuberculosis,” said Dr Mario Raviglione, WHO Stop TB department director.

He added: “A blood test for diagnosing active TB disease is bad practice. Test results are inconsistent, imprecise and put patients’ lives in danger.”

WHO is categorical that the kits are found where corruption and inefficiency are common in the health care industry.

“Blood tests for TB are often targeted at countries with weak regulatory mechanisms for diagnostics, where questionable marketing incentives can override the welfare of patients,” said Dr Karin Weyer of WHO.

The inspection role lies with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board. A source at the board, while agreeing with the findings, said they had difficulty controlling the use of the kits.

The concerns come in the wake of a leaked report showing glaring inefficiencies in the operations of the board, including allowing dangerous medicines into the country.

The audit, done by Efficiency Monitoring Unit in the Prime Minister’s office, accuses the board of registering drugs that fail tests at the National Quality Control Laboratories.