Uganda has begun producing its own malaria test kits, in a move aimed at reducing reliance on imported kits and lowering testing costs.
The kits, manufactured by Microhaem Scientifics, are the first to be produced locally in Uganda and the wider Sub-Saharan Africa region.
President Yoweri Museveni commissioned the plant in Kampala on November 28th, 2023, praising young Ugandan scientists for “breaking free from the slavery of dependency”.
“I want to salute you young people for waking up and getting out of the slavery of dependency,” Mr Museveni said.
“The market is part of the business. Anyone who manufactures but cannot sell is not in business. In the next 30 years, Africa’s population will be 2.5 billion.”
Dr Cedric Akwesigye, Managing Director of Microhaem Scientifics, said the new diagnostic tests manufactured by MHS are a complete package and a replica of a laboratory, eliminating the need for healthcare providers to buy different testing accessories.
“The test kits are affordable and will enable people to test themselves conveniently without requiring a healthcare provider,” Dr Akwesigye noted during the flag-off event.
Each kit will cost less than $1, significantly lower than imported alternatives that retail for around $1.5 and above.
Microhaem Scientifics has the current capacity to produce 85 million testing kits annually, and the Uganda government, through the National Medical Stores (NMS), has placed an initial order for four million test kits, covering 30% of Uganda’s annual demand.
Dr Daniel Kyabayinze, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, expressed concerns about counterfeit kits infiltrating the market, warning that inaccurate results could endanger lives.
“There are fake kits that wrongly diagnose people, putting lives at risk. We must ensure only high-quality, verified diagnostic tools are available,” Dr Kyabayinze cautioned.
Uganda receives $350 million in funding from the Global Fund every three years, with a significant portion allocated to medicines and diagnostics. However, the country’s demand for diagnostics in the public health sector alone is estimated at $200 million per year, while available funding covers only $117 million, leaving an annual gap of approximately $83 million.
Dr Kyabayinze highlighted that between 12 to 14 million people are tested for various diseases annually in Uganda, with nearly half of the population undergoing malaria tests each year.
Dr David Nahamya, the Executive Director of the National Drug Authority (NDA), hailed the project as a historic achievement for Uganda and the region.
“This is Uganda’s first facility of its kind, and in the region,” Dr Nahamya said.
“The WHO has commended the quality of our kits. This is the first plant in East Africa to locally manufacture diagnostic kits, and it meets all quality standards both locally and internationally.”
Uganda Development Bank (UDB) has provided $7.5 million in funding to support the project, with Managing Director Patricia Ojangole emphasizing the importance of long-term investment in local manufacturing.
“This milestone is a testament to Uganda’s remarkable potential in healthcare manufacturing. We are committed to supporting enterprises that enhance our health system,” she stated.
Equity Bank has also pledged continued financial backing.
“We started this partnership six months ago to support the manufacturing sector. We commend the work done so far and commit to supporting MHS to close the funding gaps.
