Mbarara laboratory

The main laboratory encompasses microscopy (blood smears for malaria diagnosis), biochemistry, hematology, and new molecular diagnostic tools such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is used to detect malaria infections that are not detectable by microscopy and to genotype the malaria parasite. 

The microbiology section (biosafety level 2) is dedicated to the culture and characterization of microorganisms present in blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and other biological fluids, as well as to the evaluation of bacterial susceptibility to drugs.

The third section was established as a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory for the detection and diagnosis of tuberculosis from sputum and other biological fluids, using microscopy and culture. It also utilizes PCR technologies for the diagnosis of tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) using the GenXpert/MTB Rif test.

The laboratory has acquired the necessary expertise to handle sample transport in accordance with IATA standards. It also has a cold chain with storage capacity at -20 and -80 degrees.

Since 2022, the Mbarara center laboratory has been accredited for Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) by Qualogy, an international and independent accreditation system. This benchmark standard ensures the quality and reliability of research data.

GCLP covers all aspects of clinical testing laboratory operations: organization and personnel; facilities; equipment, materials, and reagents; standard operating procedures; GCLP work planning; subcontracting; test materials; conduct of work; reporting of results; quality control and audits; record-keeping; and confidentiality.