Uganda Martyrs Hospital Ibanda Opens Modern Laboratory as Over 200 Nurses Graduate

What the report says

Uganda Martyrs Hospital Ibanda has commissioned a modern laboratory that hospital leaders say will improve diagnostic capacity and cut down on referrals for specialised tests to Mbarara. The facility was opened on Friday by the Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese, Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha, at a ceremony also attended by Christine Nimwesiga of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council, according to Nile Post.

The hospital’s Medical Director, Dr. Gothaldo Tumubugane, said the new laboratory addresses a long-running challenge that had forced patients’ samples to be sent elsewhere for some tests. He said this often delayed diagnosis and treatment, and that the on-site laboratory should make services faster and more efficient. The hospital said the upgrade is expected to broaden the range of tests it can perform and reduce waiting times for patients in Ibanda and surrounding areas.

The commissioning took place alongside the graduation of more than 200 students from Ibanda School of Nursing and Midwifery. The graduates completed certificate and diploma programmes in nursing and midwifery. Nimwesiga urged them to maintain integrity, discipline and compassion, while continuing to learn throughout their careers.

Bainomugisha also told the new health workers that nursing requires dedication and selflessness. More broadly, the developments point to efforts to strengthen local healthcare delivery by improving both infrastructure and staffing in a region where access to timely diagnostics and qualified personnel remains important.