WHO Recognises NHLDS as a Center of Excellence for Pandemic Preparedness
24/04/2025: Ministry of Health Headquarters- Kampala.
Uganda's National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services (NHLDS) has earned a stellar recommendation as a center of excellence for pandemic preparedness and has been recommended to become a WHO Collaborating Centre for Laboratory System Strengthening following a comprehensive evaluation by the WHO Country Mission Team of Assessors.
The mission team led by Dr. Celine Barnadas and Dr. Sheick Oumar Coulibaly, at the invitation of the Minister of Health, conducted the exercise which involved a rigorous assessment of NHLDS’s reference laboratories with a focus on core functions related to pathogens of epidemic and pandemic potential. NHLDS achieved perfect scores across all evaluation parameters. The Central Emergency Response and Surveillance Lab – CERSL and genomics lab at CPHL were the core labs assessed by the team. On top of the laboratory systems the team also assessed other parameters including; data management systems, sample transportation, quality management systems, equipment maintenance and calibration among others
“These scores are the very best and outstanding. We are amazed how the lab has set up systems and developed it. It needs to be documented and shared with other countries to benchmark,” said Dr. Sheick Oumar Coulibaly, WHO team lead, during the briefing to the Minister.
The preliminary findings were presented to Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister of Health, at the Ministry Headquarters. She was joined by the Director General of Health Services Dr. Charles Olaro and Under Secretary Mr. Kenneth Akiri. NHLDS was represented by Commissioner Dr. Susan Nabadda and Laboratory Director Dr. Isaac Ssewanyana, among others.
There was a wave of celebration following the announcement, with accolades pouring in from various stakeholders.
“I would like to congratulate you Dr. Susan and your team for the work that has led to this milestone. I also applaud WHO for the support not only for the lab but for the whole health sector. These scores are no mean achievement and recommended areas for improvement have been noted and will be worked on,” Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng.
“Congratulations NHLDS and the assessors on this assignment. Well done NHLDS team, the perfect scores were expected;” Fatim Jallow - Global Fund.
“Congratulations to CPHL and the assessors, we hope the assessment report will highlight the low score areas and technical recommendations on how to improve them,” Sheila Okoth, CDC Uganda Lab Chief.
The recommendation paves the way for Uganda to become a WHO Collaborating Centre in:
External Quality Assurance (EQA)
Training and mentorship
Equipment maintenance and calibration
TB diagnostics, leveraging the Supra-National Reference Laboratory.
Hon Minster Dr Ruth Aceng also committed that these achievements will be sustained by government amidst donor fund cuts.
“Sustainability will be discussed by government. We all know countries will no longer have to rely on donor funding therefore government has to take on this area because they cannot be left to fall down. The lab will be sustained and even pushed to grow,” Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng.
