A Game Changer in Community Health:

On 18th June 2025, Ruben Health Centre received a major boost in its healthcare services with the arrival of a GeneXpert machine from the Ministry of Health. This advanced diagnostic tool has significantly improved the speed and accuracy of tuberculosis (TB) testing, benefiting not only the Mukuru kwa Ruben community but also the wider Embakasi South and East sub-counties. Before the machine was installed, TB testing was a lengthy process. Samples had to be sent to external hospitals, with results taking several days to return. Some samples even got lost in transit, delaying diagnosis and treatment. The introduction of the GeneXpert machine has completely changed this. Now, four samples can be tested in just one hour, allowing for rapid results and quicker medical response.

Since its arrival, the machine has tested 155 patients, with 17 confirmed positive cases. These early detections have made it possible for patients to begin treatment immediately, reducing the spread of TB in the community. The machine is currently the only one serving Embakasi South and East, making Ruben Health Centre a critical hub for TB diagnosis in the area.

What makes the service even more impactful is that it is offered free of charge. This removes financial barriers and encourages more people to come forward for testing, especially those experiencing symptoms like persistent coughs, fatigue, weight loss, and night sweats.

Ruben Health Centre is also receiving referrals and samples from nearby health facilities. Due to the increasing demand, laboratory technicians have shown great dedication, often working beyond normal hours and even on weekends to ensure all samples are processed in time.

Whitney Machani operating the GeneXpert Machine

Among those helping to operate the GeneXpert machine is Whitney Machani, a current intern at Ruben Health Centre and a proud alumna of AEF Ruben Primary School, where she completed her KCPE in 2017. Now a fourth-year student at Chuka University, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science and Technology, Whitney is with the Centre for a two-month internship. “Coming back here for my internship feels like coming home,” she shares. “Ruben Centre shaped so much of my foundation academically and personally. It’s fulfilling to serve the same community that raised me.” Whitney has quickly become an asset to the lab team, bringing in both technical skill and a deep personal connection to the community she serves. Her story is a powerful reminder of Ruben Centre’s long-term impact, nurturing young minds who eventually return to make a difference.

The presence of the GeneXpert machine has not only enhanced the efficiency of healthcare delivery but also created opportunities for young professionals like Whitney to gain practical experience and give back. It has reduced dependence on outside hospitals, saved patients time and transport costs, and strengthened the Centre’s position as a reliable provider of essential diagnostic services.

This milestone reflects the Centre’s ongoing commitment to community health and shows the importance of investing in both medical technology and human potential. By bringing fast, free, and accurate TB testing closer to the community, Ruben Health Centre is playing a vital role in the fight against tuberculosis in Kenya.

Story by Benson Kagwima