Dr. Hakim Sendagire, a lecturer and researcher at Makerere University College of Health Sciences, has authored a comprehensive handbook titled ‘Correct Collection of Laboratory Specimens,’ offering a meticulous guide for health workers conducting laboratory tests.
Released during Medical Laboratory Week, celebrated annually from April 14 to 20th, the book aims to underscore the pivotal role of professionals in the healthcare system by providing clinicians with insights into the proper collection techniques for blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid.
Sendagire underscores the necessity of such a handbook, recognizing the shortage of laboratory technicians nationwide, which often leaves professionals from diverse backgrounds responsible for sample collection.
He emphasized that errors during sample collection can lead to dire consequences, citing instances like errors in insulin tests for diabetes, which could result in fatal outcomes.
Steven Aisu, the Senior Lab Advisor at the Ministry of Health, likens the handbook to a vital reference tool, akin to a dictionary, for health workers, especially those practicing laboratory medicine. He highlighted its practicality with a step-by-step guide for performing tests, advocating its utility for private practitioners.
Aisu noted the Ministry’s efforts to address challenges in laboratory waste disposal, mandating every registered laboratory to contract with a biohazard disposal company.
Professor Nelson Ssewankambo, a distinguished academician, applauded the handbook’s relevance in Uganda’s expanding use of community health workers in public health initiatives, emphasizing its practical value in empowering a broader spectrum of healthcare providers.