ASLM HONORS H.E PRESIDENT YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI
5-Nov-2024 Abidjan- Cote D’Ivoire:
The African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) has recognized H.E. the President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, as the ASLM Champion for improving Health Laboratory services in Africa.
According to the award citation, the President’s recognition is drawn from his bold vision, strong Pan-Africanism, the Africa Union’s Agenda 2063, and the Global Agenda 2030. President Museveni has demonstrated outstanding leadership and impeccable commitment to improving health services generally and the laboratory sector specifically for Uganda and the entire continent.
This was during the ongoing ASLM Special Convention on Diagnostics in Abidjan Cote D’Ivoire. The award was received by MoH Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine accompanied by the Director General of Health services Dr. Henry Mwebesa and NHLDS Commissioner Dr. Susan Nabadda.
HE President Yoweri Museveni who was also the convention’s Chief Guest, welcomed his award and recognition. In his opening remarks H.E President Kaguta Museveni called on his counterparts to support ASLM in the manufacture of vaccines, medicines and lab equipment.
“I Urge the African states to support ASLM‘s efforts to boost the manufacture of vaccines, medicines and laboratory Logistics. This will not only increase pandemic preparedness in Africa but will create jobs and incomes for our people, save on foreign currency, enhance local capacity among others. Uganda remains committed to increasing access to affordable and quality Laboratory services in order to ensure early detection of diseases and management of outbreaks. I would also like to commend the Uganda’s lab sector in supporting the advancement of lab sector in Africa. This progress supports the goal of a healthy and productive population in Africa,” HE President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
It should be noted that Uganda’s lab sector was recognized by international partners as a center of excellence and continues to play a pivotal role in supporting capacity building of other African lab sectors. This recognition stemmed from several milestones the Uganda lab sector has accumulated overtime including; receiving and maintaining critical international accreditations, expansion of scope of the testing laboratories and setting up the first ever National equipment Calibration laboratory with the highest testing scope among others.
In her remarks, the MoH Permanent secretary Dr. Diana Atwine stressed the importance of the digitalization of labs and centralization of data management for Africa.
“Digitalizing the labs will ensure inter-connectedness leading to a centralized database for Africa. Based on our huge database, it will also enable us to fast-track and leverage Artificial intelligence for improving research and health outcomes” she said.
The three day event brings together lab stakeholders to explore innovations, challenges, and strategies in advancing lab sector in Africa under the theme: “Transforming Diagnostic Systems in Africa: Harnessing Innovation and Quality Assurance to elevate Equity and Excellence”.
It aims at addressing critical diagnostics and lab medicine needs, aligned with global health priorities such as Universal Health Coverage, anti-microbial resistance (AMR), and emerging infectious diseases.
