Museveni Commissions HIV, Malaria self-test Kits Plant

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Summary:

• President Museveni commissioned Microhaem Scientifics, a groundbreaking diagnostic manufacturing facility in Uganda, set to produce affordable high-quality test kits for HIV and malaria. The $25 million facility, funded by the Uganda Development Bank, follows WHO standards and aims to address the country’s $83 million annual gap in diagnostic demand.

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Kampala, Uganda | THE BLACK EXAMINER | On Tuesday, President Yoweri Museveni inaugurated Microhaem Scientifics (MHS), a cutting-edge diagnostic manufacturing facility located in Ntinda, near the capital Kampala.

MHS, a pioneering establishment in Sub-Saharan Africa, is set to produce affordable yet high-quality test kits, including those for HIV and malaria diagnostics, making a significant impact on millions of families across the continent.

President Museveni commended Dr. Cedric Akwesigye, the Managing Director of MHS, for spearheading this initiative, emphasizing that such investments are pivotal for propelling Uganda into a modern economy marked by growth and development.

Addressing the younger generation involved in the project, President Museveni acknowledged their role in breaking free from dependency, a historical challenge for Africa. He urged Ugandan scientists to leverage their expertise in resolving the scientific issues plaguing the continent.

Highlighting the importance of the market, President Museveni noted that Africa’s population is projected to reach 2.5 billion in the next 30 years, making it a significant business opportunity. The facility, the sole diagnostic test kits manufacturing plant in the Great Lakes Region, adheres to National Drug Authority (NDA) and World Health Organization standards.

The $25 million facility received essential funding, including a crucial top-up of $6.3 million from the Uganda Development Bank (UDB), covering the importation of advanced medical equipment and machines, as well as working capital support.

President Museveni assured Dr. Akwesigye that the government, through the Ministry of Health, would procure the test kits produced by MHS, particularly for HIV and malaria, and encouraged the firm to invest in research for developing more locally produced molecular and diagnostic devices.

During the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Akwesigye highlighted that MHS, a symbol of Uganda’s scientific innovation, will function as the production hub for various molecular and diagnostic test kits, including those for HIV viral load, EID, and Hepatitis B.

The plant, constructed in strict adherence to WHO standards (ISO 13485 cGMP), has undergone thorough inspections by NDA and the World Health Organization. Dr. Akwesigye announced the initial production readiness for HIV and malaria testing kits, meeting the highest international quality benchmarks.

With Uganda’s annual demand for diagnostics in the public health sector projected at $200 million, Dr. Akwesigye sees MHS as a potential solution to bridge the funding gap and reduce costs.

Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Uganda’s Minister of Health, commended MHS for leading in local diagnostic manufacturing. She emphasized the significance of local manufacturing for ensuring access to critical medical supplies, citing challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Aceng pledged that the government’s central public health laboratory, designated by WHO as a regional center of excellence for diagnostics, would provide quality assurance services to ensure MHS products meet required standards.