Soroti Regional Referral Hospital modern laboratory that was refurbished and upgraded by the Aids Support Organization (TASO) with funding from Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has been commissioned and handed over.
The infrastructure and equipment worth UGX 672 million was officially commissioned on 10th November 2022 at Soroti regional referral hospital and witnessed by the officials from CDC, TASO, Ministry of Health and Soroti hospital staff.
Dr. Yunis Miya head of programs TASO revealed rehabilitation of Soroti hospital laboratory took UGX 672M, Bululu health centre 3 UGX 25.5M, Aketa health centre 3 UGX 35M, Mukongoro health centre 3 UGX 54 M, Kadungulu health centre 3 UGX 20.3 M and Kichinjaji heath centre 3 UGX 118 M supported by CDC.
Dr. Susan Nabadda, a commissioner with the ministry of health (MOH) said that Soroti Regional hospital was operating with inadequate laboratory services/infrastructure.
Sam Lwanga, the Laboratory manager Soroti regional referral hospital said that the centre receives samples for examination from 27 other health facilities in Teso sub-region.
Dr. Charles Olaro, the director for clinical and curative services with MOH called upon the laboratory workers to refrain from exploiting patients by charging fees and yet the services are meant to be free of charge.
Olara warned that if such employee is discovered he/her will be dealt with accordingly and “stands a chance” of losing the job.
Dr. Arther Fitzmaurice the Senior Health Scientist at CDC while officiating as the chief guest, reaffirmed CDC’s commitment to support Uganda and ministry of health towards epidemic prevention.
He said that Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) is implementing a five-year nation-wide CDC funded programme that commenced on 1st October 2021 and runs till 30th September 2026.
This five-year grant worth $ 15 million is intended to support the government of Uganda through the department of National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic services (NHLDS) to strengthen laboratory systems and establish sustainable diagnostic optimized networks and partnerships for integrated HIV-related testing, disease surveillance and outbreak investigation in Uganda.
In order to facilitate Uganda to achieve and monitor the PEPFAR targets and global 95-95-95 HIV goals by 2025 and fully implement the UNMHCP countrywide, the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) consortium will establish partnerships with the Ministry of Health’s Department of National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services (NHLDS) and its development partners, to build the institutional, managerial and technical capacity of the Uganda National Health Laboratory Services (UNHLS) at central, regional and district levels.
This grant is being implemented under three key strategies prioritized as per the strategic plan of NHLDS and it will be implemented in 125 districts of Uganda.