By Anthony Kushaba
apearlnews.com
In Uganda stories of health facilities issuing out inconsistent laboratory results have ever dominated Ugandan media.
The infamous case was of a woman in Sheema district who was enrolled on ant retroviral therapy after she was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS something that was reported to be false.
Though this remains a challenge, Mbarara Referral Hospital hospital has been credited for offering undisputable laboratory results.
Dr Robert Wagubi, the head of Laboratory services at the Hospital awaiting National Referral status clearance said that they now offer Laboratory services that befits international standards.
This, as Mbarara Referral Hospital Administrator met heads of health services alongside their laboratory attendants in Bushenyi in a Bi-Annual Review meeting.
According to Dr Wagubi, since 1954 Laboratory services at the regional biggest health facility have evolved from offering simple to top-notch tests of recently.
Apparently, Mbarara RRH has a three star laboratory equipped with qualified staff and diagnostic equipment.
“Recently we handled a case of a woman who was complaining that she has been moving from hospital to hospital in seeking for treatment four years. She said that her condition was never diagnosed but upon diagnosis we found a fluke stuck somewhere inside and we had to remove it”, Dr Robert Wagubi.
Dr Celestine Barigye the Mbarara Referral Hospital boss who officiated the meeting said that some laboratories aren’t up to standard but Mbarara Referral Hospital laboratory gives accurate results that can’t be refuted.
Dr Barigye directed all District Health officers in the region to strengthen monitoring and supervision in ensuring that all laboratories are up to standards.
Mbarara Referral Hospital was gifted with two laboratories one from World Bank through the government of Uganda and Histopathology Laboratory from the American people.
Dr Barigye who also overseers Health services in the region said that as that the ministry of Health is working around the clock to build a strong laboratory ecosystem as it’s the critical pillar in health care services dispensation.
Dr Barigye, also a public health medicine specialist is optimistic that Mbarara RRH laboratory will soon be accredited to International standards as all processes are being followed.
Halson Kagure , the Mbarara Referral Hospital Public Relations Officer revealed that being a teaching affiliate of Mbarara University of Science and Technology has seen the hospital offer health care package beyond the minimum health care package of a regional referral hospital.
Kagure said that these among others include renal dialysis, brain surgery, CT scan services, Tumor markers among other diagnostic investigations.
Dr Peter Ssebutinde the Mbarara District Health officer warned people against seeking laboratory services from any clinic.
On the other hand Dr Edson Musherure, the Isingiro District Health officer applauded the Mbarara Referral Hospital Director’s efforts to lobby for a vibrant laboratory services though he noted that laboratory services providers should always undertake refresher courses to update their skills amidst changing times of epidemics and pandemics.
