In February 2020, University of Health and Allied Sciences took a leadership role in response to the COVID-19 pandemic by undertaking a series of actions that ensured that the University was adequately prepared as an institution for any occurrence. These actions also increased the visibility of UHAS as a leading institution in the field of Public Health.
The Government of Ghana has recognised these efforts by tasking the University with testing suspected samples to diagnose COVID-19. During a surprise visit to Ho on Monday 30 March to assess the Regional Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH) on their preparedness to isolate and treat potential COVID-19 patients in the area, the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, hinted that UHAS would be supported to do COVID-19 testing; and on Sunday 12 April, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, in his 7th Address on COVID-19, named UHAS as one of the institutions to do testing for COVID-19.
On Monday 27 April, the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa, accompanied by other government officials, visited the Main Campus at Sokode-Lokoe to inspect the lab designated for use as the COVID-19 testing facility.