Health centres in Lira, Kabale lack childbirth care facilities - report
A baby being weighed. Uganda continues to lose many mothers and newborn babies daily. PHOTO BY JOSEPH KIGGUNDU.
What you need to know:
According to the Uganda Demographic Health Survey 2011, 16 mothers and 106 children still die daily
KAMPALA- Government health centre IIIs and IVs in Kabale, Lira and Mityana do not meet requirements for emergency obstetric care, a new report shows.
Findings from an assessment conducted in the three districts by White Ribbon Alliance, an international non-governmental organisation, shows that 43 health facilities lack emergency equipment and new born care facilities necessary to reduce maternal and child mortality.
Ms Robbina Biteyi, the national coordinator White Ribbon Alliance, said 43 health centres in the three districts assessed are not equipped to treat severe bleeding, infection, high blood pressure, manual removal of the placenta and other retained products.
“…and none of these health facilities where majority of deliveries happen have simple equipment to give artificial respiration to new babies born with breathing complications,” said Ms Biteyi.
“We cannot reduce maternal and child mortality in Uganda if the situation at health facilities where most deliveries occur remain the same,” she said.
The Daily Monitor could not get a comment from the commissioner in charge of clinical services at the ministry of Health, Dr Jacinto Amandua, but reports indicate that Uganda is struggling to meet key aspects of the Millennium Development Goals including maternal and child mortality. The goal’s deadline has less than 500 days.
