FDC to mark Women’s Day in Bugiri
FDC Women’s League members hold hands after a press briefing at the party headquarters yesterday. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA
Kampala.
Members of the FDC Women’s League have said they will mark the forthcoming International Women’s Day by launching a campaign in Bugiri District to save mothers who die while giving birth.
Speaking during a media briefing at the party’s headquarters yesterday, the chairperson of the league, Ms Ingrid Turinawe, accused government of neglecting the health of women.
She said the group will mobilise funds to buy equipment which mothers need while giving birth and donate it to Bugiri Hospital.
“For the past 30 years, the death rate of women giving birth has been at 16 women per day but has now increased into 19 women per day. This translates to 480 women per month and 5,760 annually and 172,800 in 30 years,” she added.
Ms Turinawe said a basic budget to save a mother during birth is Shs100 for a razor blade, Shs500 for a pair of gloves, Shs100 for a syringe, Shs500 (injection), observing that Shs1,200 can save a woman’s life.
“As women of Uganda, we consider it (Women’s Day) not worthy of happiness or celebration since government that has the mandate to ensure that the ordinary Ugandans get the services they deserve has decided to neglect us.”
“Instead of driving to Kabale (national Women’s Day celebrations venue), the President should sit back and the money that would have been used for fuelling his convoy is sent to hospitals to help pregnant mothers.”
