Uganda National Health lab results accepted globally

A laboratory technician at Uganda National Health Laboratory Service during the international accreditation ceremony of CPHL Molecular Virology Laboratory at Butabika Kampala on March 25, 2017. Photos by Richard Sanya

The results from the Butabika-based Uganda National Health Laboratory Services (UNHLS) are now being accepted as accurate findings of rigorous medical trials across the world.

The UNHLS, which was constructed and equipped by US government through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, received a certificate of international accreditation from the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) on February 2.

The SANAS works with the International Standards Organization to promote standardization across several fields in Africa apart from electrical and electronic engineering.

The ministry of health permanent secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine, announced the international accreditation for the second largest laboratory in Africa in terms of infrastructures and quality of services to health workers at UNHLS in Butabika, a Kampala suburb, yesterday.

The facility which was launched recently received the global accreditation in reference laboratory services for Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) and HIV viral load testing. The reference laboratory services involve high-caliber and complex medical tests.

EID programs involve diagnosis of HIV infection from 4-6 weeks of age, facilitating provision of life-saving care to infants infected with the virus and enabling access to prevention information as well as support for (infants) that test negative.

"This accreditation is a huge milestone. SANAS has accredited Uganda before accrediting laboratories in South Africa. You people, we need to be proud about Uganda and our work," Atwine stated.