Ms. Paula Akugizibwe of FIND -Switzerland Visits the JKUAT-COHES Research Team

From left to right: Mr. Phillip Oyier, Prof. Simon Karanja, Ms. Paula Akugizibwe, Dr. Reuben Thuo, Dr. Thomas Ngigi, Dr. Joseph Matheri and Dr. Jane Aduda

Ms. Paula Akugizibwe joins JKUAT-COHES Research Team and the Kajiado CHMT Team in Data collection

Thursday 28th October at the Chap Chap Boda Boda pick up point in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County

Ms. Paula Akugizibwe, a consultant for the Foundation of Innovative and New Diagnostics (FIND), Geneva, Switzerland, joined the JKUAT COHES Research team members and the Kajiado County CHMT members during a data collection exercise for the study “Utilization of digital tools to enhance COVID-19 and TB testing and linkage to care among Boda Boda riders in the Nairobi metropolis”.

She was received by Prof Simon Karanja the JKUAT COHES Research team lead, Dr. John Gachohi, the JKUAT COHES Research team Coordinator for Kajiado County, Mr. Samson Saigelo, the Kajiado County Director of Public Health and the Chairman of the boda boda Chap chap pick point.

From Left to right: Mr Samson Saigilu, Prof Simon Karanja, Ms. Paula Akugizibwe and Dr. Jane Aduda.

Ms. Akugizibwe was taken round the camp and briefed on the various work stations the participants of the study would visit. She applauded the study team members for their dedication and efforts to collect data. She reiterated the importance of the study to FIND and its partners and looked forward to the receiving the final study report from the JKUAT team.

She said the report would form an important basis for further financial investment by the FIND partners in the use of digital tools in health.

The Kajiado County Health team responsible for COVID-19 and TB sample collection and COVID-19 testing using AgRDT Testing at the Chap Chap data collection study site.

Mr. Saigilu appraised Ms. Akugizibwe on the health challenges and opportunities in Kajiado County and emphasized on the need for public-private partnership to mitigate some of the health challenges the county faced.

Mr. Saigelo appraised Ms. Akugizibwe on the health challenges and opportunities in Kajiado County and emphasized on the need for public-private partnership to mitigate some of the health challenges the county faced. Later in the afternoon, Ms. Akugizibwe later held fruitful and insightful discussions with the JKUAT COHES Research team in the DHARC, JKUAT.

A bodaboda participant (seated) undergoes a medical checkup. The Chap chap pickup stage bodaboda Chairman Looks on. Standing on the right is Dr. John Gachohi.

The team briefed her on their field experiences on this study. They also discussed a wide range of opportunities that the JKUAT team can consider going forward. Ms. Akugizibwe promised to share some of the feedback, experiences and requests made by the JKUAT team with the FIND headquarters in Geneva.

She praised the team for their exemplary work on the just concluded digital end to end study. She pledged to continue supporting the team and looking out for possible joint opportunities to carry out research between FIND and JKUAT.

The meeting was attend by Prof. Simon Karanja, Dr. Reuben Thuo, Prof. Fred Wamunyokoli, Dr. Jane Aduda, Dr. Thomas Ngigi, Dr. Joseph Matheri and Mr. Phillip Oyier.

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