The Department of National Health Laboratories (through the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL) and the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL), as part of the World Health Organization, provides support to 26 African countries – mandates, and supports 11 countries in participating The laboratory is ISO 15189 certified. NHLDS has 3 specialized reference laboratories: Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL), National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL) and National Microbiology Reference Laboratory (NMRL), among which the Uganda Virus Research Institute The laboratory capabilities of these reference laboratories are complemented by the laboratory capabilities of research institutions such as the (UVRI) Laboratory, the Joint Clinical Research Center (JCRC)) and universities (Makerere, Mbarara, Gulu, etc.) , whenever necessary. The main capabilities of the reference laboratory and the capabilities of the National Health Laboratory Service are as follows:
Coronavirus disease
Dr Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, said Butabika has the capacity to test for COVID-19, with mobile laboratories currently operating at Tororo, Adjumani Hospital (Elegu crossing point), Mutukula and Mubende Regional Referral Hospitals. All regional referral hospitals are equipped with GeneXpert machines, which can be activated by the department at any time when additional testing capacity is needed.
TB.
Dr Atwine added that the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL) will continue to provide surveillance and early detection of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) to assist in early detection and isolation of cases, To prevent spread and protect life.
HIV and Hepatitis B
Dr Atwine said the country currently has the capacity to provide HIV and hepatitis B diagnostic testing, including viral load, with up to 2.5 million tests performed annually, thereby providing life-saving antiretroviral drugs and treatment to people living with HIV. HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B, including infants and pregnant women.
cancer
Capabilities for sickle cell disease confirmation, heme pathway cancer diagnosis and other non-communicable and lifestyle diseases.
Others include:
✓ Ability to perform routine diagnostic tests on the function of the kidneys, liver, heart and other vital organs of the body.
✓ Establishment of genomic laboratories at the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) and the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL) for routine monitoring of any genetic changes in causative microorganisms that may lead to very dangerous (e.g. resistance to treatment sex) or weaker and therefore milder.
✓ Capacity of the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory to perform routine bacterial culture and antibiotic resistance (AMR) susceptibility monitoring.
✓ Laboratory Information Management System developed for use by reference laboratories (CPHL and NTRL) to track patient samples and forward results to physicians. For example, the Tuberculosis Laboratory Information System tracks patient samples and forwards results to MDR treatment sites in the country, which significantly reduces turnaround time for tuberculosis culture and drug susceptibility results.
✓ Equipment calibration center. NHLDS has an internationally recognized Equipment Calibration Center that supports the calibration and standardization of equipment across the entire laboratory sub-sector across the country to ensure they deliver accurate results.