The Ministry of Health has launched a Satellite Laboratory at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital.
The facility, constructed under the Uganda COVID-19 Response and Preparedness Project is expected to improve clinical research at the hospital upon its completion. The construction will cost four billion Shillings while another 1.3 Billion Shillings will be spent on equipping the facility.
State Minister for Primary Health Care Margret Muhanga who presided over the ground-breaking ceremony on Tuesday explained that the laboratory is significant in managing outbreaks and emergencies. She added that the Ministry is now decentralizing laboratory services across the country.
Dr Richard Mugahi the Assistant Commissioner of Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health believes that the satellite laboratory will improve the functionality of the laboratory by over 30 per cent through improved testing of patients.
Dr Alex Adaku, the Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital Director says the new satellite laboratory will enable the facility to research and also carry out tests from all the areas in the Rwenzori region.
Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital serves the districts of Kasese, Ntoroko, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu, Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa and Fort Portal City.
A Ugandan firm Azu Properties Ltd. has been awarded the contract to construct the lab in 15 months.