Uganda has started the local production of rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits for HIV, malaria, and sickle cell disease. The kits are being manufactured at the Microhaem Scientifics (MHS) diagnostic test kits plant in Ntinda, Kampala.
During the official handover of the two million kits to the National Medical Stores (NMS) for nationwide distribution, Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, stated that this marks the first phase of production at the facility, which was commissioned in 2023. He assured that the RDT kits have been approved by all relevant regulatory authorities, ensuring their quality and reliability.
The local production of these kits is expected to save Uganda approximately $100 million annually, which was previously spent on imports.
Dr. David Nahamya, Secretary to the National Drug Authority (NDA), confirmed that the diagnostic kits meet the required standards.
“NDA ensures that only high-quality drugs and medical devices enter the market. We commend MHS for achieving Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification, which is no small feat,” he stated.
Dr. Cedric Akwesigye, the proprietor and Managing Director of Microhaem, acknowledged the extensive efforts and partnerships that led to this achievement. He revealed that the company secured a $7.5 million (Shs27.5 billion) development loan from the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) to establish operations.
He stated that each test kit is being sold at $1 (about Shs3,660), significantly reducing costs associated with importation. While the exact previous expenditure by NMS on imported test kits remains undisclosed, both Dr. Akwesigye and government officials stated that domestic manufacturing is crucial for Uganda’s healthcare independence.
“By producing locally, we eliminate logistical costs such as international shipping. Logically, this should make the kits more expensive due to smaller production volumes, but we have optimized costs,” Dr. Akwesigye explained.
He further noted that the government’s initial order of four million test kits accounts for approximately 30% of Uganda’s total annual consumption through the Ministry of Health. With a production capacity of 80 million test kits per year, MHS is well-positioned to meet national demand and expand its offerings.
Beyond the current production of malaria, HIV, and sickle cell test kits, MHS is developing additional products. Phase II of the project is set to include:
- Hematology reagents
- Clinical chemistry reagents
- Immunochemistry reagents
- Hypertension and ulcer drugs
- Tuberculosis drugs
- Hepatitis B vaccines
- Polio vaccines
- Pneumococcal vaccines
