Clinical Laboratory News for Uganda

C EN TR A L PU BLIC
H EA LTH
LABOR ATOR IE S
MINISTRY OF
HEALTH
Confirm
Clinical Laboratory News for Uganda
J A N U A R Y
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
Foreword:
Foreword from the 1
chairman National
Health Laboratory
Technical Committee
The Central Public 2
Health Laboratories and Coordination of Laboratory
Services in Uganda:
Working Towards
Better Diagnosis
The National
2
Health Laboratories Services Policy:
Providing Direction
for improved laboratory services
Scientific article:
3
External Quality
Assessment in
Uganda: Helping
laboratories evaluate their levels of
performance
through proficiency
testing
Key Events:
4
Upcoming events
5
By Dr. Alex Opio (Assistant
Commissioner National Disease
Control, NDC)
It is difficult to imagine modern
clinical practice without support
from diagnostic services. Like
imaging techniques, laboratory
results often provide clinicians
with information that put diagnoses beyond doubt. Indeed, for
the vast majority of conditions, it
is laboratory data that clinicians
rely on for pinpoint identification
of the etiologic agent.
In view of its importance in deciding the course of patient management, users of laboratory
data ought to be sure of its authenticity. Unfortunately many
clinicians in Uganda have such
little confidence in laboratories
that they often prefer to rely on
their clinical acumen alone. This
mistrust is the culmination of
years of perceived or actual inadequacy of Uganda’s laboratory
services. Issues like availability
of laboratories in lower level
health facilities have been major
causes of concern.
Even at the higher health facilities where laboratories are always present, many of the essential tests have not been regularly
performed due to a lack of essential supplies like reagents and
specimen collection materials
like swabs and blood culture
bottles. Excessively long prolonged turnaround times have
also been a key concern for
laboratory users.
Quality management systems
such as external quality assessment schemes and accreditation of laboratories that would
promote user confidence were
virtually absent in the country
for a long time.
To compound it all, many clinicians have been trained in a
setting with limited functional
laboratory systems and have
not had an
adequate
opportunity
to interface
closely with
The Assistant Commissioner National Disease Control, MOH &
Chairman National Laboratory
Technical Committee; Dr. Alex
Opio
laboratories.
Fortunately, the Ministry of
Health is sparing no effort in
its drive to ameliorate the
situation. Working closely with
various development partners
and stakeholders, the ministry
has invested significantly in
revitalizing the national laboratory network. Some of the
key developments to this end
include:
Development and launching of the National Health
Laboratory Services Policy for
2 0 1 1
which a 5 year strategic
plan for implementation
shall soon be finalized.
Establishing a credit
line for provision of essential laboratory supplies to
all health facilities
Construction /
renovation and equipping of
laboratories in various
health facilities
Establishment of external quality assessment
schemes
Putting in place a number of
in-service training programs.
Unfortunately, many laboratory personnel, clinicians
and the wider public remain
largely unaware of these
efforts and as such have not
played their part in contributing to the drive. It gives
me great gratitude therefore
that the Central Public
Health laboratories (CPHL),
the focal point for laboratory services in the Ministry
of health is launching the
Confirm bulletin to bridge
this gap. It is in line with
the Ministry’s strategy of
keeping all stakeholders
abreast with events at the
Ministry.
I hope you get informed as
you enjoy the reading.
Dr. Alex Opio Assistant Commissioner National Disease
Control, MOH
PAGE
2
The Central Public Health
Laboratories Offices on Plot
7/11 Buganda road
the laboratory was
The Central Public Health Laboratories: History, functions and future:
By Kajumbula Henry
Coordinated health laboratory
services in Uganda date back
to the times of the British colonial administration. At that
time, all laboratory services
and functions were under the
Chief Pathologist based at
Wandegeya in the current
Government Chemist and the
National T.B reference laboratory buildings. At independence in 1962, the position of
chief pathologist was dropped
and the roles taken over by the
Consultant pathologist at Mulago Hospital, assisted by 2
chief technologists (one in
charge of the Mulago Hospital
laboratories and the other in
charge of upcountry laboratories).
established in 1983 in
borrowed premises at
the Institute of Public
Health (IPH) with Mr.
Gaspard Guma and
Mrs. Scholastica Okui
as its first personnel.
CPHL Laboratorians in practice
CLINICAL
During the early postindependence era, the functions of disease surveillance
and outbreak investigation
were conducted by Mulago
Hospital, the Makerere Medical school laboratories and the
East African Virus Research
Institute (now UVRI). With
time, however, these roles
proved too demanding for
these institutions, which were
not directly under the Ministry
of Health. As such, the idea
of a Central Public Health
Laboratory was conceived in
1975. Unfortunately, the nascent plans for a laboratory at
the current Mbuya industrial
area were nipped in the bud by
the prevailing political instability.
Upon realizing that a CPHL
building could not be attained
in the short term, the laboratory was established in 1983
in borrowed premises at the
Institute of Public Health
(IPH) with Mr. Gaspard Guma
and Mrs. Scholastica Okui as
its first personnel.
LABORATORY
At inception, the laboratory
was administratively under the
office of the Chief Medical
Laboratory Technologist for
Upcountry laboratories, then
Mr. Vincent Oyullu who was
based in Wandegeya where the
current National tuberculosis
and leprosy program offices
are housed. Upon retirement
in 1985, Mr. Oyullu was replaced by Mr. Gaspard Guma
who was heading the CPHL.
As a result, the 2 offices of
head of CPHL and the chief
laboratory technologist for
upcountry labs were unified.
CPHL therefore became more
involved in the coordination of
laboratory services in addition
to its surveillance and outbreak investigation role. In
1987, a laboratory division
was formed under the office of
the commissioner for curative
services, requiring Mr. Guma
to move from Wandegeya to
the MoH headquarters in Entebbe. Subsequent restructuring in 1999 placed all health
laboratory institutions including CPHL under the Uganda
National Health Research Organization (UNHRO) and
dropped the laboratory division at the ministry. However,
this plan was never implemented as the Department of
National Disease Control
(NDC) felt that a UNHRO
based CPHL would not adequately support disease surveillance and outbreak investigations. As such, CPHL was
placed under the NDC.
policy are a prelude to a promising future for CPHL. The United
States
Government
(USG)
through CDC-Uganda has generously offered to construct the
CPHL building at Butabika. The
design has been finalized and
USG is in the process of following up the construction.
With ongoing restructuring at the
MOH, a proposal to accord
CPHL a semi-autonomous status
has been approved by the Ministry’s top management. If accorded,
a
semi-autonomous
CPHL would have a highly favorable staff establishment that
would attract highly qualified
and productive professionals.
The new CPHL shall require a
vividly articulated mandate, a
key activity in the National laboratory services strategic plan.
As contemporary practice is increasingly adopting molecular
techniques in laboratory identification of infectious agents,
CPHL plans to gradually introduce these methods in its routine
procedures not only to keep up
with the times but also to harness
their potential cost saving benefits.
Finally, CPHL shall have to harness its boundless research potential not only to inform policy
and practice in the country but
also to attract funding to sustain
its activities. Simple but critically
important topics such as antimicrobials susceptibility profiles
and distribution of various strains
of infectious agents in the country are already being developed
Increasing Ministry of Health for research.
and partner interest in reliable
laboratory services in the CPHL has coursed an undulating
country, together with finaliza- history, operating in the face of
tion of the National Health scarcity and promises of plenty.
Laboratory services policy and Current trends point to an inthe near completion of a 5 year creasingly bright future for a
plan for implementation of the highly dynamic institution.
NEWS
FOR
UGANDA
The keyplayers at the Central Public Health Laboratories
PAGE
Mr. Amato Menya
Senior Advisor CPHL
Dr. Henry Kajumbula
Technical Advisor
Mr. Michael
Dfendu
3
Dr. Winifred Wafula
Deputy Laboratory Chief CDC
Mr. Tom Tenywa
National STD/I Lab
Coordinator
Agnes Nabasirye
Program Assistant CDC
Dr. Hakim Sendagire
Mr. Charles Kiyaga
National EID
Coordinator
Thomas
Alinaitwe
IT Systems
Mrs. Bakunda
Kamaranzi
Nicholas
Isa
Mary L. Nakitende
Program Assistant HCT
Edward
Rutatinisib
wa
Fred Khauka
Driver
Michael Nandala
Lab Technologist
Nelson Ogwang
Lab Technologist
Susan Nambozo
Program Assistant
Bossa Khasim
Madinah Nakate
Janitor
Office Messenger
Boniface Bagonza
Askari
Janitor
CLINICAL
LABORATORY
NEWS
Mr. William Ziras
Lali
Program Officer Training
Rita N. Eragu
Project Secretary
Daniel Kasule
Data Officer
Consultant Laboratory
Services
Mr. Wilson
Nyegenye
Lab Scientist
Atek Kagirita
Lab Scientist
Dr. Christina /YCPIK
Mrs. Okui Scholastica
Senior Technologist CPHL
Program Officer Laboratory
Services, MOH
FOR
UGANDA
Mr. Gaspard Guma
Senior Advisor CPHL
Mr. Sulaiman Ikoba
Project Administrator
Lab Quality Officer
Diana Kamusime
Program Assistant
CPHL
Joseph Nkodyo
Lab Technologist
Bernard
Baitwababo
Data Analyst
Penina Nalukenge
Program Assistant,
HBC
Ibrahim Kasujja
Driver
Paul Bwebale
Driver
Rebecca Nakidde
Program Assistant
EID
Susan Nandutu
Janitor
Aggrey Ngobi
Driver
District Laboratory Focal Persons; The Foot soldiers of laboratory services in Uganda
The concept of District Laboratory Focal Persons (DLFP) was adopted in Uganda in 2002 as part of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Response (IDSR). According to IDSR guidelines, each district should have a laboratory professional on their rapid response
team. All districts designated laboratory personnel from their existing staff to fulfill the role of DLFP. As various laboratory
strengthening programs were rolled out throughout the country, the role of DLFPs expanded beyond surveillance and rapid response
to include; coordination of logistics, quality assurance and training. activities Currently, DLFPs coordinate such activities as ordering, receiving and storage of laboratory creditline items, they act as the first controllers in the AFB slide rechecking external quality
assessment scheme, and are engaged in regular support supervision of laboratories in their districts. With these increasing tasks,
DLFPs need to be appointed as full time coordinators of laboratory activities and relieved of their bench tasks as advocated for in the
draft National Health Laboratory Strategic Plan for 2010—2015. Below is a list of current DLFPs and their contacts, save for a few
new districts who are yet to assign the responsibility:
District
Name
Tel. Contact
District
Abim
Adjumani
Amolatar
Amuria
Amuru
Apac
Arua
Name
Omodo Christopher
Peter Madra
Ongom Dizzozo Justine
Akol Peter
Okello Mark
Okello Francis
Lou Lou Louis
Tel. Contact
0772-896592
0772918562
0774-666322
0774-934917
0712-640493
0772-561147
0772-683956
Budaka
Tazenya
0782-310948
Bududa
Bugiri
Bukedea
Bukwo
Buliisa
Bundibugyo
Bushenyi
Busia
Butaleja
Dokolo
Gulu
Hoima
Ibanda
Iganga
Isingiro
Jinja
Kaabong
Kabale
Kabarole
Kaberamaido
Kalangala
Kaliro
Kampala
Kamuli
Kamwenge
Kanungu
Kapchwora
Kasese
Katakwi
Nanfungo
Musobya Daniel
Okwalinga Robert
Kotti Julius
Mvazomaniku
Ejoku Emma
Lubega Dan
Nafula Scovia,
Owere Lawrence
Ogwanga Lawrence
Muloya Felix
Tibamwenda Anthony
Kiiza Aloysius
Kirunda Menya Kakaire
Ddumba John Rogers
Bikumbi Patrick
Lonio Isaac
Kariisa Samson
Bisogo Mughusu Ezekeil
Epwonu James Frank
Ssebulime Richard
Acile Godrey
Mulindwa Francis
Kintu Ali Ahmed
Byarugaba Didas
Rwakoojo Anthony Blair
Kiisa Sylvia
Yet to assign
Ekoluot Geoffrey
0782-6503272
0772-433427
0782-405232
0753-900412
0772-688789
0782-807386
0782-411567
0782-475399
0772-606585
0752-418166
0773213866
0772-844100
0782-842624
0782-855255
0752-503493
0772-832102
0782-968099
0772-475455
0772-696390
776521280
0772-537772
0782-636305
0772-414714
0712-353997
0772-612150
0752-618442
0782-662347
0772-959777
0782-681757
Kayunga
Hibira Henry
0712696853
Kibaale
Kiboga
Kiruhura
Kisoro
Kitgum
Koboko
Kotido
Kumi
Kyenjojo
Lira
Luwero
Lyantonde
Manafa
Masaka
Masindi
Mayuge
Mbale
Mbarara
Mityana
Moroto
Moyo
Ondonga Jimmy
Byakika Grace
Budaki Morris
Bakunzi Deo
Opoka G.Samson
Atiku Alex
Opio Francis
Oguma Geoffrey
Mukokoma Erisa
Amuge Bernard
Kalyesubula Edward
Ndawula Anthony
Opio Charles
Ahimbisibwe James
Tigambirwa Peter
Byekwaso John Bosco
Ekeu Isaac
Namono Norah
Mugwanya Adolph K.
Catherine Lorot
Asi Gaone Abraham
0772-366801
0772-657002
0773-172325
0703-270262
0772-606641
0772-884681
0772-549017
0772-691119
0772-823873
0772-653231
0712-567380
0782-319989
0782-097688
0712-936789
0782-412447
0782-534637
0772-850853
0782-320620
0772-521441
0775-242989
0782-498789
Mpigi
Sonko Paul
Mubende
Mukono
Nakapiripirit
Nakaseke
Nakasongola
Namutumba
Nebbi
Ntungamo
Nyaduri
Oyam
Pader
Pallisa
Rakai
Rukungiri
Sembabule
Sironko
Soroti
Tororo
Wakiso
Yumbe
Nwoya
Amuru
Otuke
Aleptong
Kole
Buyende
Agago
Kibuku
Buwuma
Buikwe
Serere
Kiryandongo
Namayingo
Kyegegwa
Zombo
Luuka
Butambala
Mpigi
Gomba
Shema
Mitooma
Buhweju
Bushenyi
Kumi
Ngora
Kalema John
Mule William
Aboka Moses
Luzira Isaac
Okwir Alex
Wandera Tom
Odokonyero Henry
Mugenda David
Louga Albino
Alinga John Bosco
Ongom Patrick Sisto
Emuduk John
Nambale John Bosco
Agaba K. John Paul
Arinaitwe Francis
Okoboi Bosco
Obonyo Charles
Akol Beatrice
Matovu Baker
Dima A. Terence
Okello Mark
onen Alfred
Modest Adaku
Alex Odyek
Aumaaa Jane
Kisawuzi Christopher
Ayella George Oryem
Oryem John Bosco
Aisu Alfred
Nasuna Chritine
Kasim Kata
Opio Samuel
Partrick Otak
Lwanga Sam
Mugasha Sam
Samson Nkulega
Muyingo James
Sonko Paul
Kakooza
Abenaitwe Amon
Bakengama Sam
Bemera Amon
Lubega Dan
Ejoku Bernard
Enguria Issac
Lwengo
Yet to assign
Bukomansimbi
Kalungu
Amudat
Napak
Kween
Yet to assign
Yet to assign
Daniell Kalepun
Yet to assign
Selangat Jacob
0772-935510
0772-521928
0782-381099
0772-480242
0774-970507
0782315836
0772-559000
0752-976273
0782-598944
0772-547613
0782-570377
0782-333747
0772-875133
0772-468055
0782-310690
772692425
0772-682699
0782-070155
0712-840174
0772-379248
0712640493
0772921482
0782320482
0782359093
0772332598
0776444769
0772999413
0782859974
0775402866
0753805831
0772675203
0392963765
0772588183
0772533225
0782598980
0782107315
0775753359
0772601316
0774423005
0772870825
0782735293
0772015988
0772305114
0772950207
0777773195
078260732
0782712752
Some of the
DLFPs
attending a
workshop in
HIV rapid
testing at Jinja.
SCIENTIF ARTICLE:
PAGE
Implementation of Integrated
National Laboratory Quality Improvement in Uganda Authors William LALI , Gaspard
1
:
GUMA1,
Henry
KAJUMBULA1,
Peter
NSUBUGA1,
Zainab
AKOL1,
Peter
AWONGO2,
Prossy
Affiliation: 1Central Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Kampala,
Uganda. 2National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program, Kampala, Uganda.
3Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda. 4School of Public Health,
Makerere University; Location of Project/Program: Uganda
Key Words: Quality Improvement, Quality Assurance
Introduction:
External quality assessment of laboratories involves the monitoring of the performance of a laboratory by an entity outside that laboratory. It may entail supervisory visits, retesting of a portion of the specimens tested by the laboratory or
administering panels of specimens to the laboratory to check on its ability to test
them correctly.
A number of external quality assessment schemes have recently been set up in
Uganda. These include the T.B slide rechecking by the National T.B Reference laboratory, the CD4 NEQAS where CDC in “A total of 214,
collaboration with CPHL distributes panels for CD4 lymphocyte approximately
counts, the EAREQAS, where AMREF distributes panels to 93
14.3% of
laboratories and the CPHL NEQAS where CPHL distributes panels for malaria parasites, HIV rapid testing and stool micros- laboratories in
copy.
the public
During 2009, CPHL reached a total of 214 laboratories with its
CPHL NEQAS. In addition, quality audits were performed on
the same 214 laboratories. Here we report on the findings.
network were
reached in the
NAMPIJJA3,
Nakitende Mary
Lious1,
ONOMA N Virgil4
mentation and lessons for scaling up were still
being learnt.
The mean performance of the EQA was above
the satisfactory score of 75% for each of the 3
panels. However, 14% of the laboratories returned
unsatisfactory results. The unsatisfactory laboratories performed worst in the malaria tests particularly in the aspect of quantification of the parasites.
Supplies, poor records management and inadequate personnel skills were key issues in the poorly
performing laboratories
Recommendations;
There is a need to scale up the coverage and fre
quency of the EQA schemes
Poorly performing laboratories need closer follow
up
to support their logistics management, data man
agement. Their personnel need mentoring and
training to augment their skills
assessment.”
Methodology:
Sets of panels for HIV screening, T.B microscopy and malaria microscopy were
prepared and validated at the Uganda Virus Research Institute, The National T.B
Reference Laboratory and the Central Public Health Laboratory respectively. The
panel testing results were then scored at CPHL and laboratories adjudged to
have posted satisfactory or unsatisfactory results based on a cutoff of 75% for
each of the tests. The quality audit visits were performed by a central team of
laboratory personnel who used a standard checklist and the key issues that
could have compromised performance identified form the checklist.
Distribution of participating laboratories by level
Results:
A total of 214, approximately 14.3% of laboratories in the public network were
reached in the assessment. Their distribution by level is summarized in figure 1.
A total of 214 laboratories participated in the EQA program and assessment.
These included 8 regional referral hospital laboratories (3.7%), 46 general hospital
laboratories (21.4%), 49health center IV laboratories (22.8%), and 111health center III laboratories (51.8%).
Lab Performance in the proficiency panel testing
Overall, 180 (84%) of the laboratories scored satisfactory results, with 34 (16%)
posting an unsatisfactory result in one or more of the test panels.
Figure 2 summarizes the mean scores for each panel. The mean scores were 91%
for HIV screening, 85% for malaria microscopy and 85 percent for T.B microscopy.
sd at the bottom of the figure are the standard deviations.
The laboratory audit data of the poorly performing laboratories was analyzed for
findings of factors affecting quality of testing. The key findings were reagent
stock out/expiries (32.4% of the failing labs), poor records management (29.4% of
the failing labs), inadequate technician skills (20.5% of failing labs), lack of standard operating procedures (11.7% of failing labs) and failure to follow standard
procedures (5.8% of failing labs).
Discussion:
External quality assessment schemes in the country remain very limited in coverage with CPHL reaching only 214 about 14% of laboratories in the public network. In 2009 however, CPHL NEQAS had only been in its second year of imple-
Lab Performance in the proficiency panel testing
5
PAGE
6
EVENTS:
Uganda Launches a National Health Laboratory Policy
icy a key objective. The National
Health Laboratories Technical and
Advisory Committee rose to the
challenge in 2007.
From left to right: Dr. Giorgio Roscigno,
FIND CEO; Mr. James Kakooza,
Hon. Minister of State for Health (primary
health care);
Dr. Joaquim Saweka, WHO Representative
for Uganda; and
Dr. Kevin Mills McNeill, Country Director of
CDC/Uganda
“As a follow up to the
policy, a 5 year strategic
plan for its implementation
is being developed “
By Kajumbula Henry
The 24th September 2009 ought
to be highlighted as a major
milestone to delivery of health
laboratory services in Uganda. It
was on this day at a colorful
ceremony in the Imperial
Royale Hotel that the Honorable
James Kakooza, Minister of
State for Primary Health
launched the National Health
Laboratory Services Policy.
While not a panacea to the rigours of delivering quality laboratory services, the policy forms
an all important framework. It
elucidates the strategies and
objectives relating to laboratory
services in the National Health
Policy and the Health Sector
Strategic Plan II.
The process to develop a Policy
to guide laboratory services in
Uganda dates back to the mid
1980s. At that time, the Ministry
worked together with AMREF
and developed policy guidelines
for laboratory services. Unfortunately, the document was never
launched or widely publicized.
While they acted as reference
material for many stakeholders,
these guidelines were neither
official nor binding.
In 2005, the second Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP-2) of
2005 – 2010 made development
of a comprehensive National
Health Laboratory Services Pol-
CLINICAL
LABORATORY
NEWS
Working with the Central Public
Health Laboratories (CPHL) with
support from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a draft policy
was developed. In 2008, the Foundation for Innovation in New Diagnostics (FIND) established a
program in Uganda. A key objective of FIND’s Uganda Program
was to support the Ministry in
finalization of the Policy. This
concerted effort from the Ministry
in partnership with FIND and
CDC led to its completion in early
2009.
In general, the policy aims at providing a framework for ensuring
that the health laboratory services
safety
Laboratory equipment
and supplies
Human resources
Quality management
systems
Information systems
Research and development
Community involvement
Partnerships
Regulatory and legal
framework
Monitoring and evaluation
Financing and accountability
The policy gives a couple of
strategies through which
each of the 13 policy objective, shall be achieved.
From left to right: Dr. Giorgio Roscigno, FIND CEO; Mr. James Kakooza,
Hon. Minister of State for Health (primary health care); Dr. Joaqui saweka, WHO Representative
for Uganda; & Dr. Kevin Mills McNeill, Country Director of CDC/Uganda .
in Uganda are strengthened so as
to support effective and efficient
delivery of the Uganda National
Minimum Health Care Package
(UNMHCP). It sets the strategic
direction in 13 key areas that are
fundamental to attaining available
and sustainable quality laboratory
services in the country. These key
areas around which the objectives
of the policy revolve are:
Organization and management
Delivery of the services
Laboratory facilities and
FOR
As a follow up to the policy,
a 5 year strategic plan is being developed. A draft of the
plan was presented to stakeholders in September 2010.
Once finalized the strategic
plan shall guide all government and partner investment
in health laboratory services
for the period of 2010 –
2015. End
PAGE
7
EVENTS:
Uganda hosts East African Regional meeting for laboratory accreditation
By Hakim Sendagire
On 27th and 28th of July, Uganda hosted a meeting to review the progress of East African
Countries in implementing the World Health Organization (WHO)’s accreditation process
that was launched in Kigali, Rwanda in July 2009.
The meeting that attracted over 40 public health and laboratory systems experts from the
Ministries of health of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia was organized by
the Ministry of Health of Uganda in conjunction with WHO, CDC-Uganda and AFENET and
was held at the Serena Resort in Kigo.
Hon. Stephen Malinga
Opening the meeting, Uganda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Stephen Malinga
underscored the central role played by laboratories in clinical management of patients, as well as
the early detection and management of disease
outbreaks.
Attending countries updated the meeting on their
progress in implementation of the accreditation process.
The
countries
shared
their
experiences
in
the
implementation of the ‘Strengthening of laboratory
management training towards accreditation (SLMTA).
SLMTA is essentially a training and mentoring tool developed
by CDC-Atlanta to strengthen management of laboratories in
order to attain immediate and measurable quality improvement.
At the end of the meeting, all countries committed to implementation of the WHO accreditation
process and SLMTA. They resolved to explore mechanisms of setting up an East African Regional
Accreditation Body while at the same time strengthening National Institutions. End
CPHL and CDC-Uganda co-host a laboratory strengthening
implementing partners’ meeting
Dr. Alex Opio, MOH (top), Mr. By Eragu N. Rita
Lali Ziras William, CPHL
The Ministry of Health recognizes the critical role
played by various partners in the delivery of laboratory services in the country. To this effect, the
CDC, Ms Agnes Nabasirye,
Ministry teamed up with CDC-Uganda to host a
CDC (bottom) and some of the 2 day meeting for laboratory services implementing partners. The event, held on 30th September
delegates (left), in a discusand 1st October 2010 at Protea Hotel, Kampala
sions during the WHO Labora- sought stakeholder input to the draft National
tory Accreditation workshop, Health Laboratory Services Strategic Plan for
2010 - 2015 and the draft National Laboratory
that was hosted in Uganda,
Quality Assurance Plan. The meeting was also
th
th
used as an opportunity to collect Data on services
27 – 28 July 2010.
offered by various implementing partners. End
(centr), Dr. Winifred Wafula,
CLINICAL
LABORATORY
NEWS
FOR
The Director General for Health Services,
Dr Kenya Mugisha (standing) sounding the
move from ministry of disease to ministry
of health, MOH’s commitment to implement the Laboratory Strategic Plan and
the curb false diagnosis reports tagged to
monetary values especially in the private
sector. Next to him is the Assistant Commissioner Clinical Services Dr. Jackson
Amone and the WHO representative.
EVENTS:
PAGE
8
East Africa launches a project to harmonize laboratory efforts towards disease surveillance
By Guma Gaspard : Increasing migration of populations across East African borders either in search of economic opportunities or
as a result of forced displacement is a potential fuel to outbreaks of communicable diseases like cholera, meningitis, drug resistant
tuberculosis and newly emerging global epidemics like swine flu (H1N1
influenza). While laboratories form a central cog in efforts for early detection
and control of such outbreaks, they remain the weakest link to such efforts. In
recognition of this fact, the 4 East African Countries of Kenya, Rwanda,
Tanzania and Uganda have secured World Bank Loans totaling to USD 66.7
million to strengthen the public health laboratory network in the region.
The project entitled ‘The EAST AFRICAN PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY
NETWORKING PROJECT (EAPHLNP)’ aims at establishing a network of high
quality accessible public health laboratories for the diagnosis and surveillance of
TB and other communicable diseases. It has 3 components namely;
Strengthening of the regional capacity to diagnose diseases of public health
importance and to share information to mount an effective regional response.
Joint training and capacity building to expand the pool of qualified
laboratory technicians
Joint Operational Research, knowledge sharing/Regional Coordination and program management
In total, 25 laboratories across the 4 countries shall be built or refurbished, equipped and supported to operate effectively. In
addition, the disease surveillance capacity of the East African Community health desk and the East Central and Southern Africa
Health Community (ECSA-HC) based in Arusha shall be supported to coordinate the regional efforts.
In Uganda, a new National TB Reference Laboratory shall be constructed in Butabika at the proposed CPHL site. In addition 5
regional laboratories shall be constructed/refurbished, equipped and operationalized to enable them perform T.B cultures and
molecular assays and bacteriological/mycological cultures. The 5 laboratories include Arua regional Hospital, Lacor Hospital,
Mbale Regional Hospital, Mbarara Regional Hospital and Mulago National Referral Hospital. The first 4 hospitals were selected on
the basis of their location near national borders and would therefore be able to serve neighboring countries. The project has gone
through cabinet and parliamentary approvals and is expected to be effective by the end of January 2011. End
..more on lab strengthening implementing
partners’ meeting
The Assistant Commissioner National Disease Control, Dr. Alex
Opio (centre above) addressing stakeholders, in company
of Dr. Mwangi Christina (L), Dr. Hakim Sendagire and
Dr. Henry Kajumbula. Stakeholders included PEPFAR
Team, Walter-Reed funded, USG funded partners, Academia (National lab institutions), Civil Society Organizations, Private Not for Profit, Medical Superintendents and
District Health Officers. ↑
→CPHL Senior Advisors Mr. Amato Ojwiya (centre) and
Mr. Guma Gaspard (front), Atek Kagirita, (L), Peter
Awongo (R), Pendun Martha, (far right), Dr. Robert
Downing, CDC and Bernard Baitwababo, CPHL. →
↑ Some of the lab implementing partners’ representatives in the meeting.
EVENTS:
PAGE
9
Association of Pathologists of Uganda hosts the 20th Association of Pathologist of East
Central and Southern Africa Congress.
By Susan Gathoni
On the 15th to 17th of September 2010, the Association of Pathologists of Uganda
(APU) hosted the 10th biennial Conference of Association of Pathologists of East
Central and Southern Africa (APECSA) at Hotel Africa in Kampala.
APU brings together specialists in the various fields of pathology in Uganda while
APECSA is the umbrella for all pathologists associations in the regions of East, Central and Southern Africa. These associations aim at promoting quality teaching and
practice of all the fields of pathology including histology, cytology, microbiology,
hematology, chemistry and immunology.
“APU brings together
specialists in the
various fields of
pathology in Uganda
while APECSA is the
The Ministry of Health was represented by Dr. Asumani
umbrella for all
Lukwago, the Permanent Secretary. Other prominent
pathologists
speakers included Dr. Stephen Kijjambu, Dean of the
associations in the
School of Medicine at the Makerere University College of
Health Sciences and Professor Sebastian Lucas of King’s
regions of East,
College London. Many speakers emphasized the need of
Central and
laboratory services and all disciplines of pathology to demSouthern Africa. “
onstrate their relevance and become more visible in order
to attract adequate support.
The conference’s theme was ‘Repositioning Pathology
Practice in sub-Sahara Africa: opportunities and Challenges. It drew a record attendance of 130 delegates from
16 countries , and 41 papers were presented.
One of the key events of the conference was launching of the College of Pathologists of East Central and Southern Africa (COPECSA), whose aim is the promotion of
excellence in the practice of pathology through training, examination and professional development. Dr. Ranjiv Erasmus of South Africa was elected as its president.
Dr. Henry Kajumbula and Dr. Othieno Emmanuel from Uganda were elected onto its
25 member council. End
Above and below: A cross-section of delegates during a session.
Below: Some of the posters showing findings displayed.
← more laboratory implementing partners’ representatives who
Upcoming Events:
attended the
meeting co-
2011
hosted by
CPHL-MOH
Pilot ing PI M A ( Point of Care) CD4 M achine in Uganda — January 2 0 1 1
and CDC
Uganda.. ↓
Uganda A I DS I ndicat or Survey—February
St rengt hening Laborat ories Towards A ccredit at ion ( SLM TA ) TO T-M arch 2 0 1 1 Johannesburg—Sout h A frica
Social Corner
CPHL says bye 2010 in style:
For the first time in its history, CPHL hosted an end of year
party. The event was hosted on 22nd December 2010 at the
CPHL gardens.
Patrons were treated to mouth-watering muchomo, a special
treat by Mrs. Ikoba.
Chief guest Dr. Zainabu Akol, Manager AIDS Control Program, Ministry of Health, thanked everyone for their efforts
during 2010, and appealed to them to remember thanking
God for the lives in 2010, and to be more conscientious in
their work during
2011.
Above: Dr. & Mrs. Sebulime, Sharon and Lydia arriving at the venue.
W atc
Right: The beautiful Mastula Ikoba; the hands behind the special
nyama choma. She left her office in time to make CPHL’s day. With
her are their lovely children Ryan and Anah, plus husband Ikoba
Sulaiman (CPHL Administrator)
h out
Above: A few of the honorable guests who blessed the function.
for th
e
next
is
sue!
Left: The master
of ceremony
could not hide
his excitement.
Right: Delicious
nyama choma
Right: Mr. Guma
sharing his new year
resolutions; as usual
members had to hold
their tummies to
control stomachache
caused by his humorous characteristic.
It was all about lab technologists...
Ministry of Health
Nandala Michael and Joseph Nkondyo, two of
CPHL’s lab technologists were introduced to
their in-laws in breath-taking functions.
Central Public Health
Laboratories, Uganda
↑ Micheal Nandala (left) with
collegues on the d-day.
Plot 7/11 Buganda Road, Kampala
Phone: +256-414-230-265
Email: cphlug@gmail.com
↑ Smartness was the word as the CPHL family posed
for the introduction functions.
Joseph
Nkodyo
(left) with
collegues
on his
day→