The Ministry of Health has launched the National Laboratory Data Repository (LDR), a new digital platform aimed at improving the use of laboratory data to guide healthcare delivery and public health decision-making across Uganda.
The platform, developed under the Department of National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services (NHLDS), was officially launched by the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Charles Olaro. It serves as a central national hub linking laboratory information systems and feeding directly into the Ministry of Health’s National Health Information System.
“Digitisation is only meaningful when data is actively used,” Dr. Olaro said. “The National Health Data Warehouse strengthens laboratory-clinical linkages, informs national health decisions and enables analytics that support a resilient and data-driven health system.”
The LDR addresses long-standing fragmentation in laboratory information systems by providing a single, centralised platform for integrating and analysing laboratory data. According to Dr. Susan Nabadda, the system will enable faster clinical and public health responses.
“The LDR enables timely use of data and faster clinical and public health decisions. This is not just a technical upgrade; it is a strategic investment for evidence-based management and diagnostics,” Dr. Nabadda said.
The repository allows real-time monitoring of laboratory test volumes by facility, disease trends, turnaround time, laboratory performance, surveillance and pandemic preparedness indicators, as well as commodities, human resource utilisation, and the reliability and quality of laboratory services.
Developed with technical and financial support from the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the platform is expected to strengthen reporting, reduce duplication, and improve transparency and accountability within the laboratory sector.
Paul Mbaka, a specialist in Health Information Systems, welcomed the initiative, citing the need for sustained monitoring after deployment.
“We need post-deployment monitoring to ensure that the digital health system is performing as expected. We have had many scattered dashboards in the past, so this unified product is highly commendable,” Mbaka said.
By consolidating data from public and partner-supported laboratories into one governed system, the LDR is expected to improve access to reliable information and support evidence-based decision-making at facility, district and national levels.
