Ministry of Health PS Dr. Diana Atwine handing over some of the laboratory equipment.
The Ministry of Health yesterday September 25 handed over laboratory equipment to 14 Regional Referral Hospitals aimed at enhancing diagnosis and subsequent timely treatment of patients.
The exercise was led by Dr Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health.
Dr Atwine said, “We handed over Haematology Analyzers and start-up reagents to 14 Regional Referral Hospitals worth Shs 2.1 billion. This equipment will be very useful for investigations and management of patients of COVID-19, Anaemia (Low blood level) in mothers and children, Sickle cell disease, Leukaemia (cancer of blood), Tuberculosis, HIV and Malaria among other diseases.”
Dr Henry G Mwebesa, the Director General Health Services at the Ministry of Health stated that the present laboratories are in good state, which has prompted fast responses during epidemics.
“Our laboratories are one of the best in the region. That is why we are able to pick a number of these epidemics fast. This equipment that we have received today will be placed in the Regional Referral Hospitals to strengthen our diagnosis,” he said.
He also said that strengthening of laboratory services is essential in monitoring trends of patients being treated, determining treatment protocols, detecting and monitoring the trend of epidemics.
The equipment was donated by Microhaem as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.