Following the recent public demand for DNA paternity testing, Uganda's health ministry has issued a raft of guidelines to be followed by health facilities conducting the procedure.

Using genetic material, including from a cheek swab, a DNA paternity test determines if a man is the biological father of a child.

DNA is the molecule that carries genetic information for the development and functioning of an organism.

In the new guidelines for conducting the test, a laboratory receiving samples from a sample collection facility is required to report any fraud or suspected fraud that may occur during material transfer to the director general of health services.

Also, any facility applying for licensure to perform DNA sample collection must be a legally registered entity in Uganda, with the exception of government-accredited public laboratories.

The owner must provide proof of ownership of the premises, such as a land title, lease agreement, or tenancy agreement in the case of tenancies.

'Many gaps'

During the National Laboratory Sector Performance Review meeting at Hotel Africana on Thursday, the health ministry's permanent secretary, Dr Diana Atwine, commented on the new guidelines.

"Some months ago, there was a lot of noise about DNA testing, with everyone wanting to test," she said.

"Our teams assessed all the laboratories and found many gaps. So, we developed these guidelines to instruct anyone wishing to introduce this kind of test on what they should do."

In June this year, the internal affairs ministry revealed that requests for DNA tests in Uganda had increased by 70%.

Women Members of Parliament also called on the Government to intervene in the rising trend of DNA testing in children, as it was leading to family breakdowns.

The new guidelines require any facility applying to have an authorized director with duly executed powers of attorney to transact and represent the company, assuming full responsibility for all claims and liabilities.

The facility collecting samples must have an adequate physical operating space for sample collection.

In addition, they should follow the standard operating procedures provided by the Ministry of Health for sample collection, packaging, storage, and shipment, including the chain of custody.

If the facility collecting samples is not conducting the testing but transferring them to an accredited DNA testing laboratory, they must have a valid material transfer agreement with the accredited laboratory, whether it is within the country or abroad.

This agreement will be approved by the director general of health services.

A facility applying for license to do DNA samples collection should have a counsellor or clinical psychologists or a nurse with training in counselling as part of the full-time.

They should also have qualified technical staff for sample collection who are fully registered by the respective professional councils and with valid annual practicing licenses.

During Thursday's meeting, Dr Susan Nabadda, the Commissioner of National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services, mentioned that over 70 laboratories in the country are already accredited.

She also stated that most regional referral hospitals are equipped to perform chemistry, haematology, microbiology testing, cancer testing, sugar testing, and cancer screening.