Health ministry’s health promotion department explores collaboration with national lab for enhanced community health
The Uganda National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services (NHLDS) stands as a cornerstone of public health infrastructure, not only within Uganda but across the African continent.
A high-level delegation from the Department of Health Promotion, Education and Strategic Communication (DHPE&SC), led by Commissioner Richard Kabanda, recently undertook a comprehensive tour of the Uganda National Health Laboratory (UNHL) in Butabika. The visit, hosted by Commissioner Dr. Susan Nabadda, aimed to identify strategic areas of collaboration to bolster community health through robust laboratory services.
The Uganda National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services (NHLDS) stands as a cornerstone of public health infrastructure, not only within Uganda but across the African continent. Internationally recognized for its excellence, NHLDS serves as a Center of Regional Excellence, providing critical support and guidance to laboratories in 23 African countries.
During their tour of the state-of-the-art facilities, the DHPE&SC team gained insight into the laboratory’s extensive operations. On average, NHLDS processes between 8,000 to 10,000 samples daily, sourced from more than 3,000 health facilities countrywide. The laboratory is equipped with two cutting-edge Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories, enabling it to safely handle highly pathogenic agents for diagnostics and research crucial to public health security.
Beyond its diagnostic capabilities, NHLDS plays a vital oversight function for laboratories at lower health facility levels. This includes crucial capacity building of health personnel, ensuring that quality diagnostic services extend throughout the healthcare network. All certificates issued by the laboratory are internationally recognized, underscoring its adherence to global standards.
Following the tour, officials from both the DHPE&SC and NHLDS engaged in productive discussions, specifically focusing on how the advanced capabilities and data from the national laboratory can be leveraged to strengthen community health initiatives. The collaboration is expected to bridge the gap between high-level diagnostic services and grassroots health promotion efforts, leading to more targeted and effective public health interventions.
This strategic engagement marks a significant step towards integrating sophisticated laboratory diagnostics with community-focused health strategies, ultimately aiming to improve health outcomes for all Ugandans.
