 |
|
Media Centre >
Press Releases >
MOU to collaborate on laboratory strengthening
Press release8 August 2007 FIND and the Government of Uganda sign MOU to collaborate on laboratory strengthening
From left to right: FIND Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Giorgio
Roscigno, Honorable Dr. Richard Nduhura, Uganda's Minister of State for
Health (General Duties), Uganda Permanent Secretary, Ms Mary L.
Nannono.Also present but not pictured here: FIND Senior Policy and Implementation Officer, Dr. Vinand Nantulya and Director of Uganda's National General Health Service, Dr. Sam Zaramba. Kampala, Uganda -- The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of the Republic of Uganda and the Ministry of Health to strengthen laboratory services and facilitate the introduction of new diagnostic tests in the country. The official signing ceremony took place in Kampala, Uganda on 8 August 2007 at the Sheraton Hotel. Effective immediately, this public private sector collaboration will also enable the provision of diagnostics that will be useful in the early detection and treatment of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), malaria and sleeping sickness. Although Uganda has established an extensive network of public sector health laboratories at regional, district, and health centre levels to support its national health programmes, the country currently faces a number of health challenges such as inadequate laboratory services, shortage of human resources and laboratory equipment. This collaboration is also expected to facilitate better treatment of diseases, increase the rational use of drugs, and reduce chronic ill health and high household costs. In the long run it is also expected that high transmission of infections will diminish and that additional value will be added to the national health care system. Representing the government, the Honorable Dr. Richard Nduhura, Uganda's Minister of State for Health (General Duties) said, “I am delighted to welcome FIND to Uganda. FIND is joining other partners who have been working with us to strengthen laboratory services in the country.” For these projects, FIND will:
Reasons for selecting Uganda include the burden of disease in the country, expressed interest of the government, interest of other development partners, existing potential in Uganda’s universities and the plans for implementing a Health Sector Strategic Plan. Expected outcomes of the project include the development of multi-disease clinical trial sites and local capacity, more rapid development of diagnostic tests with simplified processing, laboratory social franchising and accreditation model. Dr. Giorgio Roscigno, Chief Executive Officer of FIND, said, “FIND is pleased about this collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Uganda, which will benefit the people of Uganda and other African countries as the experiences gained will be shared with others.” In addition to FIND, other partners are currently supporting Uganda’s efforts to improve its laboratory services. These include: the World Health Organization, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Director of Programmes, African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF), German Leprosy Relief Association (GLRA) and the private sector. About FIND Media inquiries: Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) Ministry of Health, Uganda © Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics 2008. Click here to see the copyright notice |
||||
