The South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) has expanded the scope of internationally accredited tests at Lira Regional Referral Hospital Satellite Laboratory from 14 to 51.

The new development follows the accreditation of 37 additional internationally recognised tests at the government facility.

The hospital says it conducted reassessments on 6 and 7 October 2026, marking a significant step in strengthening diagnostic services and improving patient care.

Additional tests cover several areas of laboratory diagnostics, including urinalysis chemistry, tuberculosis urine LAM, serum glucose, urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).

Also read: Govt to support Lira Regional Referral Hospital to punch above its current weight

Others include white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin (HGB), and immature granulocytes (IMG).

Addressing the Hospital Parliament on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the Hospital’s Senior Executive Consultant, Dr Andrew Odur, described the expanded accreditation scope “as a strong vote of confidence in the hospital’s capacity to deliver high-quality diagnostic services in line with international standards.”

Dr Odur noted that the achievement enhances the hospital’s position as a centre for reliable laboratory services and strengthens its preparedness to support Uganda’s readiness for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

He emphasised that the newly accredited tests demonstrate the hospital’s commitment to providing internationally recognised diagnostic services, reducing the need for patients to seek specialised laboratory testing outside the country.

The SANAS assessment team, led by Head of Delegation, Nontando Glacia Moeketsi, confirmed that the accreditation process was conducted in accordance with the ISO 15189:2022 standard, which specifies requirements for quality and competence in medical laboratories.

Moeketsi attributed the new accreditation to the laboratory’s use of appropriate technologies, the competence of its human resources, and the implementation of a sustained quality management system.

She noted that the international recognition of the laboratory’s accredited tests means that patients and healthcare providers can have confidence in the results generated at the facility, without the need to send samples abroad for tests within its accredited scope.

“The accreditation demonstrates that the laboratory has the appropriate systems, technology and expertise to provide reliable diagnostic services that meet international standards,” Moeketsi said.

The LRRH Satellite Laboratory Manager, Benard Ongora, reaffirmed the laboratory’s commitment to maintaining high standards of quality, accuracy, reliability and timeliness in the delivery of diagnostic results.

Ongora commended the hospital management for providing the necessary resources and institutional support that enabled the laboratory to achieve this milestone.

He pledged that the laboratory would continue strengthening its quality assurance systems and professional capacity to sustain the accreditation and ensure that patients receive dependable diagnostic services.

A month ago, the government through the Ministry of Health, made a commitment to support Lira Regional Referral Hospital to punch above its current weight.