Siaya Strengthens Diagnostic Services Through Integrated Specimen Referral System
By Sharon Onyango
Siaya County has stepped up efforts to improve access to timely and quality diagnostic services following the training of healthcare workers on the Siaya County Integrated Specimen Referral System (ISRS) 2025–2027.
The training brought together key health stakeholders, including the County Health Services, Siaya County Health Management Team (CHMT), Amref Health Africa, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Public Health Institute and healthcare workers.
The training aimed to strengthen healthcare workers’ capacity in specimen collection, transportation, laboratory testing, results reporting and monitoring, as the county prepares to implement the integrated referral system.
The ISRS is designed to improve the efficiency of specimen referrals across all levels of healthcare, ensuring patients can access appropriate diagnostic services regardless of the facility where they seek care.
The system adopts a hub-and-spoke model, where designated hospitals and laboratories serve as referral hubs supporting primary healthcare facilities. The approach is expected to reduce delays in specimen transportation and testing, improve laboratory turnaround times, strengthen patient management and enhance disease surveillance, particularly in underserved and rural areas.
It also focused on using a National digital platform to track and monitor specimen referral activities. The platform will enable real-time monitoring and support health managers in identifying gaps and using data to inform decision-making.
Speaking during the training, Mr. Frankline Otieno, CDC commended Siaya County for taking early steps towards implementing the ISRS, noting that the county is among the first five counties selected to implement the system.
F.Otieno said the system would help address bottlenecks affecting access to laboratory services while strengthening coordination across the specimen referral chain. He also emphasized collaboration, innovation and efficient use of existing resources in strengthening the county health system.
Mr. Douglas Okoto County Medical Lab Coordinator thanked participants and stakeholders for their support and reaffirmed the County’s commitment to successful implementation of the system. He said the county would continue working with health facilities, healthcare workers and development partners to improve diagnostic services and health outcomes.
Initial implementation will focus on two pilot sub-counties, with lessons expected to inform possible countywide scale-up early next year.
The ISRS is expected to strengthen coordination across the diagnostic referral network, ensuring the specimen reach appropriate laboratories efficiently, supporting faster diagnosis, treatment and disease surveillance across Siaya County.