The International Health Regulation (IHR) 2005 Core Capacities require countries to have a robust laboratory system able to be relied on for collection and safe transportation of outbreak specimens to reference laboratories for timely confirmation.

With funding from US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this project aims to strengthen laboratory capacity for surveillance of antimicrobial resistance as well as detection and confirmation of epidemic-prone diseases.

Dr Olaro Charles (Director Health Services) and Dr Allan Muruta (Commisioner IES and PHEs) of Ministry of Health signing during the launch of the National Laboratory Guidelines for Preparedness and Response to Public Health Emergencies

Efforts leverage on existing Laboratory One Health structures at National and sub-national levels including Technical Working Groups and committees, Public Health Emergency Operation Centers (PHEOCs), and district human and animal health platforms to enhance national laboratory preparedness and response to epidemics.

The project also supported efforts for accreditation and external quality assurance for the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory at Central Public Health Laboratories.

Key Achievements

  • Supported the development and launch of the National Laboratory Guidelines for preparedness and response to public health emergencies.
  • Strengthened national laboratory capacity for outbreak preparedness and response through training, development of SOPs, testing guidelines and training materials.
  • The National Microbiology Reference Laboratory at CPHL attained international accreditation by the College of American Pathologists in 2021.
  • Strengthening laboratory capacity for Uganda’s Gonococcal antimicrobial surveillance program through trainings, coordination of the hub network, and providing buffer logistical supplies for testing.
  • Integration of Animal Health samples in the National Sample Transportation and Referral System for timely detection of zoonotic diseases in the West Nile region.

 

 

Success stories