Laboratory Services and the Hub System

At the heart of resilient health systems lies the strength of laboratory services, and Anecca, through the USAID Local Partner Health Services (LPHS)–Karamoja project, has been instrumental in leading this transformation in Uganda’s most underserved region.
Driving Impact Through Reliable Testing and Referral Systems
Between 2022 and 2024, Anecca supported collection and referral of over 19,450 viral load samples from all nine districts in Karamoja to the Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL) for timely analysis. This achievement reflects Anecca’s commitment as an avid partner in strengthening the National Sample and Results Transportation Network (NSRTN) and enhancing laboratory systems strengthening. During the same period, over 77,500 sputum samples were tested, resulting in the identification of 2,857 TB-positive cases, including 77 rifampicin-resistant cases, vital input that directly informed patient care and public health response. Through targeted support, diagnostic capacity was enhanced with power backup systems for GeneXpert machines at the two hubs at Kotido General Hospital and Tokora HCIV.
Promoting Quality Assurance and Accreditation Across Laboratories
Anecca has been instrumental in raising the bar for laboratory quality assurance in Karamoja. By 2024:
• 90% of laboratories were consistently participating in the national HIV proficiency testing program.
• These labs achieved a 92% pass rate compared to 86% between Oct-Dec 2022, thus reflecting strengthened competencies and improved reliability of HIV diagnostics.
In pursuit of international excellence, Anecca supported:
• St. Kizito Matany Hospital in maintaining its international laboratory accreditation in 2023 and 2024.
• Kotido and Abim Hospital laboratories in attaining STAR 3 certification conferred upon by the African Society of Laboratory Medicine (ASLM).
• Facilitated training on the new ISO 15189:2022 for 10 laboratory personnel across the five laboratory hubs, thus enabling transition of the implementation of the Quality Management Systems (QMS) to the new international standards.
Advancing Integrated Diagnostics for Broader Health Outcomes
To promote disease multiplexing and enhance diagnostic capacity, Anecca expanded access to specialized testing services by:
• Activating six new GeneXpert sites in the region for cervical cancer screening and C-Reactive protein testing.
• Connecting 11 point-of-care (POC) sites to the African Laboratory Information System (ALIS), enabling real-time synchronization of diagnostic results across the network.

Our Commitment

These milestones represent lives saved, health systems strengthened, and a bold vision for equitable healthcare in hard-to-reach communities.
Join us as we continue to build stronger, smarter, and more responsive laboratory systems for a healthier future

Success Stories, News & Events

The Impact of Viral Load Point-of-Care Testing for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women, Children and Adolescents in Karamoja.

Introduction:
In resource limited settings like Karamoja region, ensuring timely access to viral load (VL) testing for pregnant and breastfeeding women (PBFW) and Children and Adolescents Living with HIV (CALHIV) is crucial for effective HIV care and prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT). Historically, long turnaround times with conventional VL monitoring platforms often exceeding 20 days for the region, thus posing a significant barrier to prompt clinical decision-making.
To address this gap, a targeted regional quality improvement collaborative was implemented that leveraged the decentralization of VL monitoring using the Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) technology distributed across 11health facilities in the nine districts of Karamoja.
Impact of POCT on Turnaround Time:
The introduction of VL POCT significantly reduced turnaround times. At 11 parent POC sites, results were delivered on the same day. Peripheral or non-POC sites also experienced substantial improvements, with results made available within 72 hours. This improvements in results delivery empowered health workers to make timely clinical decisions, enhance treatment adherence support, and ensure prompt identification and management of virological failure.

Lessons Learned:
The QI collaborative highlighted the transformative potential of POCT in fragile and under-resourced health systems. Key lessons included the importance of a well-coordinated hub network for sample and results transport, the need for sustained supply chain support (e.g., cartridges, toner, and paper), and the role of frontline health workers in bridging operational gaps.
Conclusion:
Integrating POC VL testing into routine HIV care not only improves health outcomes for PBFW and CALHIV but also strengthens the broader health system. Continued investment and scale-up of POCT, coupled with a robust hub transport infrastructure, will be vital in sustaining these gains and achieving long-term epidemic control in the region and beyond.

Events: Anecca Strategic Plan Launch

The Ministry of Health in partnership with the @_AfricanUnion, @WHOUganda, @AfricaCDC, @NEPAD_Agency, and other stakeholders, will convene a High-Level Conference on the Triple Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis.

Themed “Unifying… pic.twitter.com/fob0oaJZ76
— Ministry of Health- Uganda (@MinofHealthUG) June 23, 2025

Anecca, in collaboration with PATH, has rolled out an Immunization Demand Generation project targeting zero-dose and under-immunized children in Mbale, Tororo and Kibuku Districts.
The demand generation activities are designed to improve survival and wellbeing of children. pic.twitter.com/ucKNqRHWk7
— Anecca (@Anecca1) June 19, 2025

By 2030, our projections show that 60% of people living with HIV in western & central Africa will be over 40, and 65% will be girls & women.

Leaders must strengthen HIV services for older adults, prioritize care for women and girls, and tackle the barriers driving these trends.
— UNAIDS Global (@UNAIDS) June 10, 2025