Minister Aceng Commissions Shs4.5b Satellite Laboratory in Lira City

By Our Reporter

Lira, Uganda: The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, has established a state-of-the-art satellite laboratory at Lira Regional Referral Hospital in Lira City. The facility, constructed under the COVID-19 Response and Emergency Project with funding from the World Bank, cost Shs4.5 billion.

The laboratory is equipped with advanced medical and diagnostic instruments designed to improve patient care, support research, and enhance public health efforts in the region. Some of the key features include:

Microscopes for analyzing blood smears, tissue samples, and microbiological specimens, aiding in the diagnosis of diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis.

Centrifuges for separating blood components, facilitating tests in hematology and biochemistry.

Autoclaves to sterilize equipment and maintain a contamination-free environment.

Hematology analyzers for conducting complete blood counts (CBC) to diagnose conditions like anemia.

Biochemistry analyzers for testing blood and other fluids for metabolic and organ functions.

During the commissioning ceremony on Friday, March 14, 2025, Minister of Health Dr. Jane Aceng Ochero, who is also the Lira City Woman MP, highlighted the lab's additional capabilities. These include PCR machines for detecting infectious diseases and genetic disorders, and ELISA readers for diagnosing autoimmune diseases and infections.

Dr. Aceng urged health workers to provide compassionate care, emphasizing professionalism in patient handling. She also advised the public to seek medical services from hospitals rather than drug shops to ensure accurate diagnoses and effective treatments.

Dr. Andrew Odur, Acting Director of Lira Regional Referral Hospital, revealed plans to digitalize patient records by June 2025, saying, “This advancement will eliminate the need for physical health record books as healthcare professionals transition to electronic documentation.”

Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, underscored the lab's significance for research and diagnostics. She stated, “Researchers at Lira University can now conduct studies locally without having to send samples to Kampala. This lab is equipped to test for cancer, viruses, and bacteria, as well as tailor treatment options.”

Lira Regional Referral Hospital serves the Lango, Acholi, Teso, and Karamojong communities, marking a significant step in enhancing healthcare access and quality in northern Uganda.