UBH lab to offer Ebola testing

Sikhumbuzo Moyo [email protected]

THE state-of-the-art medical laboratory at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), whose construction was completed two years ago at a cost of US$1,5 million, will be able to provide Ebola testing and screening once the installation of equipment is completed.

The laboratory is expected to become a one-stop testing and screening facility, with the Government saying the development will strengthen Zimbabwe’s capacity to respond to disease outbreaks and provide medical security for the Southern African Development Community (Sadc).

Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Sleiman Kwidini said this in an interview after leading the Bulawayo provincial clean-up exercise at UBH today Friday.

He said installation of testing machines at the facility was now 75 percent complete, particularly the diagnostic equipment, while histopathology and blood bank machines were expected to be installed by the first quarter of 2027 at the latest.

Deputy Minister Kwidini said the laboratory would also benefit other Sadc member states by providing specialised testing services within the region.

He said Zimbabwe would be willing to accept samples from other countries, in line with the country’s foreign policy of maintaining friendly relations with all nations.

“As our President said, Zimbabwe is friend to all and enemy to none. We won’t deny people from outside the country to bring their samples for testing. According to what I hear from our experts, the UBH lab will be able to test or screen Ebola and we are therefore encouraging people to come and do their testing here.

In the past, Zimbabwe would take some samples to South Africa, but when the lab is fully commissioned, we would be doing what we were sending to South Africa,” said Deputy Minister Kwidini.

The development is expected to reduce Zimbabwe’s reliance on external laboratories for specialised diagnostic services while improving the country’s preparedness to respond to public health emergencies.

The completion and commissioning of the UBH laboratory will also enhance the hospital’s capacity to provide advanced diagnostic services to patients in Bulawayo and the wider Matabeleland region.