Uganda Takes Second Spot in Africa for Accredited Human Health Laboratories
Uganda has achieved the remarkable feat of being ranked second in Africa for the highest number of accredited human health laboratories. This noteworthy accomplishment was announced at the 6th Biennial SLMTA Symposium meeting, which took place during a pre-conference gathering on December 10th and 11th in Cape Town.
Uganda has accomplished an impressive milestone by securing the second position in Africa for having the most accredited human health laboratories. This significant achievement was disclosed during the 6th Biennial SLMTA Symposium meeting held in Cape Town on December 10th and 11th, as part of a pre-conference assembly.
With a total of 73 internationally accredited human health laboratories across both the public and private sectors, as well as in research and academic institutions, Uganda has demonstrated a commitment to ensuring quality laboratory services.
Dr. Susan Nabadda, the Commissioner of Laboratory Services, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health and the Department of Laboratory Services for their leadership in promoting quality laboratory service delivery.
She also extended appreciation to the various partners whose support has played a crucial role in Uganda’s success in this endeavor.
The recognition comes as part of the Biennial SLMTA Symposium, a pre-conference meeting associated with the Strengthening Laboratory Management Towards Accreditation (SLMTA) program, a flagship initiative under the PEPFAR umbrella.
Launched in 2009 alongside the Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) program, SLMTA focuses on providing the “how-to” with comprehensive training and mentoring to enhance laboratory systems.
The synergy between SLMTA and SLIPTA has played a pivotal role in transforming the laboratory landscape over the past 13 years. While SLIPTA conducts audits to measure laboratory quality, SLMTA complements this by offering the necessary training and mentoring to translate accreditation aspirations into reality.
The success of both programs is evident in Uganda’s impressive tally of accredited laboratories.
This achievement not only underscores Uganda’s commitment to advancing healthcare standards but also highlights the effectiveness of collaborative efforts between the government, laboratory services, and international partners.
