Nairobi: Patients seeking laboratory services in Kuresoi North and Kuresoi South sub-counties will no longer be required to travel to referral hospitals after the Nakuru County Government introduced an Integrated Specimen Referral System (ISRS) that uses trained motorcycle riders to transport medical specimens.
According to Kenya News Agency, under the new system, specimens collected at dispensaries and health centres will be transported safely to the nearest referral hospital with laboratory facilities, while test results will be transmitted electronically back to the originating health facility, enabling patients to receive treatment closer to their homes. County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Care Services Roselyn Mungai said the initiative is aimed at improving access to diagnostic services, reducing patient travel costs and ensuring timely medical interventions.
She elaborated on how the County Health Department is strengthening its logistics network by restoring grounded motorcycles, training riders, and streamlining fleet management to fully operationalise the Integrated Specimen Referral System. ‘Trained riders will transport patient specimens safely and securely, completely sparing vulnerable patients from travelling long distances to high-level facilities for basic laboratory tests. By strengthening local delivery systems and minimizing avoidable clinical errors, the County Government is ensuring that every citizen receives safe, timely and patient-centred healthcare,’ said Ms Mungai.
Ms Mungai spoke during a strategy meeting with regional health team leaders from Kuresoi North and Kuresoi South sub-counties convened to review implementation plans and strengthen service delivery. The CECM said riders enlisted under the programme will undergo refresher training before the full implementation of the system.
She noted that the referral model has already undergone a pilot phase, which demonstrated improved patient management, reduced turnaround time for laboratory results, and lower transport costs for patients. According to Ms Mungai, the trained and equipped riders will transport sensitive medical specimens from dispensaries, health centres, and community health units to sub-county and county referral laboratories for specialised testing.
She added that licensed boda boda riders may also be engaged whenever additional transport capacity is required, with the county facilitating the service to ensure the uninterrupted movement of specimens. The CECM described specimen referral as a critical component of an efficient healthcare system, saying timely transportation of samples enhances diagnosis and treatment while improving overall patient outcomes.
She said the initiative will expand access to specialised laboratory services regardless of where patients seek treatment, ensuring that residents in remote areas benefit from the same quality of diagnostic services available in major hospitals. The Integrated Specimen Referral System is among several initiatives being implemented by Governor Susan Kihika’s administration to improve healthcare delivery across Nakuru County.
Ms Mungai said the programme is also expected to strengthen disease surveillance, facilitate faster clinical decision-making, and promote equitable access to healthcare by reducing travel burdens and out-of-pocket expenses for patients. ‘This is a sustainable intervention that should be integrated with Primary Health Care to strengthen Universal Health Coverage and ensure long-term improvements in healthcare delivery,’ she said.
Implementation activities will include the dissemination of the ISRS work plan, training of sub-county coordinators, sensitisation of healthcare workers, and periodic performance reviews in the pilot sub-counties before wider rollout. Beyond improving logistics, Ms Mungai said the county government is promoting a culture of accountability among healthcare workers by encouraging staff to identify and resolve operational challenges before they affect service delivery.
She urged health officers to take ownership of their facilities and work collaboratively to sustain quality healthcare services. The CECM said the success of the Integrated Specimen Referral System will depend on innovation, teamwork, and professionalism, adding that the reforms are intended to ensure quality healthcare remains accessible to all residents as a fundamental right rather than a privilege.
