NHLD’s Nutrition Lab Set to Evaluate Micronutrient Interventions Like the Newly Introduced Pro-Vitamin A Maize
2nd September 2025
NWGFF stakeholders displaying samples of the Pro-Vitamin A Maize (VAM) cobs.
Uganda’s efforts to combat micronutrient deficiencies have taken a new direction as the Nutrition Laboratory at the Ministry of Health’s Department of National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services (NHLDS) is set to evaluate the effectiveness of micronutrient interventions like Pro-Vitamin A Maize (VAM) Variety.
This biofortified maize variety, developed by the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) under the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) with support from HarvestPlus, is bred to contain higher levels of beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A. Vitamin A plays a critical role in boosting immunity, improving eyesight, and supporting the growth and development of children.
During a recent meeting of the National Working Group on Food Fortification at Hotel Africana, Kampala, stakeholders welcomed the introduction of VAM while emphasizing the importance of evidence-driven decision making for public health programs.
The NHLDS Nutrition Lab in collaboration with the Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Makerere University, is building local capacity to test micronutrient biomarkers, allowing Uganda to empirically measure how new interventions such as biofortified maize translate into better health outcomes.
As one participant at the meeting observed, “This laboratory work is novel. It not only empowers Uganda to track the impact of interventions like Pro-Vitamin A Maize but also ensures sustainability by reducing reliance on external donor-driven testing.”
The Ministry of Health, through NHLDS, plans to hold a high-level dissemination event later this year to share on-going work, program updates, technical developments with national, regional, and global stakeholders, positioning Uganda as a leader in science-driven nutrition interventions.
