Kampala – The Ministry of Health has launched the Regional Integrated Laboratory Systems Strengthening (ILSS) Project at the National Laboratory and Diagnostic Services (UNHLDS) in Butabika.
The ILSS project builds on the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen laboratory systems, leveraging existing initiatives such as the East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) – Global Fund Regional TB Laboratory Strengthening Project and the COVID-19 Response Mechanism grant.
These two projects provide technical support to National TB Reference Laboratories in 21 countries to enhance TB diagnosis and contribute to ending TB by 2030. They also provide Proficiency Testing (PT) panels for COVID-19 and build capacities in laboratory leadership and management.
The beneficiary countries include Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The Global Fund allocated $5 million to support the ILSS project earlier this year, which will be utilized from July 2024 to June 2027. This funding aims to catalyze the Global Fund’s investments in integrated laboratory systems strengthening across Africa. The ILSS project will build on the successes of ongoing grants implemented by the Ministry of Health through NHLDS.
While officiating at the launch on Friday, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga emphasized the need for local centers of excellence in each country, citing proximity and accessibility concerns.
“It’s beneficial to have regional centers, but governments must invest in local centers of excellence for timely results and better services,” she stated. Kadaga also stressed investing in staff training and capacity building.
Susan Nabadda, Executive Director of the National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services, expressed gratitude to the Global Fund and ECSA-HC for supporting the project. “The Global Fund and ECSA-HC recognized the value of our experience beyond TB, leading to the ILSS Project,” she said.
Nabadda noted Africa’s high disease burden and low diagnostic capacity, requiring significant investment for optimal laboratory operations. “The $5 million funding is just a starting point, as laboratories require billions to function optimally,” she noted
Dr. Diana Atwiine, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, emphasized self-driven capacity building over reliance on external aid. “We must develop internal capacity to respond to epidemics and build skills through partnerships, not competition,” she said
Betty Esther Naluyima, Wakiso Woman MP, appreciated efforts to improve Africans’ health but urged the Ugandan government to facilitate necessities for the laboratory’s success. “We need efficient transportation, functional infrastructure, and adequate medical personnel to handle samples promptly,” she stressed.
The launch event brought together leaders from the Global Fund, ECSA-HC, Ministry of Health, and ambassadors from participating countries, showcasing Uganda’s progress in health laboratory services.