The Nairobi City County Government has launched a major initiative to enhance lung health services through the unveiling of advanced diagnostic equipment, including four digital X-ray machines with low-radiation exposure. The equipment is expected to significantly improve early detection, treatment, and management of respiratory diseases across public health facilities in the county.
The unveiling, spearheaded by the County Department of Public Health, is part of a broader strategy aimed at delivering quality, affordable care to Nairobi residents.
Speaking during the launch, County Chief Officer for Public Health, Tom Nyakaba, described the equipment as “affordable, portable, and highly effective.”
“These tools will help us improve diagnosis and save lives. They are designed to suit our facilities and will make a real difference in managing lung-related diseases,” said Nyakaba.
“I commend all our partners for the collaborative effort that has made this possible, and I urge all stakeholders to continue supporting the implementation of this vital program.”
The newly introduced equipment includes six spirometers for assessing lung function, 22 peak flow meters for asthma monitoring, and four low-radiation digital X-ray machines. These devices will be distributed to Level 4 and 5 health facilities across Nairobi, enabling improved diagnosis and treatment of asthma, tuberculosis (TB), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.
Elizabeth Mueni, Nairobi County Coordinator for TB and Lung Disease Prevention, emphasized the relevance of the tools for local healthcare settings.
“The portability and cost-effectiveness of these devices make them ideal for our public hospitals,” she said. “They will strengthen service delivery, especially in high-burden areas.”
The acquisition was made possible through partnerships with key health organizations. The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) donated three spirometers and all 22 peak flow meters, in addition to supporting site upgrades to ensure readiness for equipment installation. ResOK contributed three more spirometers, while CIHEB Kenya donated four digital X-ray machines.
The rollout is part of the Integrated Program of Asthma, COPD, and TB (iPACT), which aims to embed comprehensive lung health services into Kenya’s primary healthcare system.
Wesley Tomno, representing the National TB Program, praised the initiative and urged Nairobi County to accelerate facility readiness.
“This is a timely and progressive move,” said Tomno. “We are planning to deploy more digital X-ray machines by the end of this month, and we encourage the County to expedite assessment processes to ensure smooth installation.”
CHAI representative Sharon Olwande highlighted the value of the multisectoral partnership.
“Our joint efforts with Nairobi County have yielded strong results, including baseline assessments and facility improvements,” Olwande said. “CHAI remains committed to supporting the long-term sustainability of lung health services.”
This development marks a crucial milestone in Nairobi County’s investment in preventive and primary healthcare, especially for underserved and vulnerable populations who bear the brunt of respiratory health challenges.