More midwives to be recruited, says Janet Museveni

Kampala. Government is set to recruit more midwives in order to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in the country, Ms Janet Museveni has said.
Speaking at the launch of the “Midwives4all”campaign by the Swedish Embassy in Kampala on Wednesday, The First Lady, who is also Karamoja Affairs minister, said maternal and child mortality has become the most challenging issue in the health sector.

“There is no doubt that the single most important investment we can make in this struggle is the training, employment, and retaining midwives in sufficient numbers in our hospitals and health facilities,” she said.
She described as right and timely the Midwives4all campaign whose objective is to increase the number of midwives in Uganda.
Launched by the Swedish ministry of Foreign Affairs, the campaign is aimed at generating greater discussion on the benefits of investing in the midwifery.

According to the Sweden Ambassador, Mr Urban Andersson, every day, 20 women in Uganda die during pregnancy or child birth.
“During my travels in Uganda I have experienced the sincere dedication and pride among midwives I have met all over the country. Despite scarce resources and immense pressure on the maternity wards, they are dutifully soldiering on,” he said.
Mr Anderson said the embassy has engaged seven individuals to champion the cause of improved maternal health care in Uganda.

They include; Health State minister Chris Baryomunsi; the chairperson of Muslim Medical Association, Prof Magid Kagimu; artiste Juliana Kanyomozi; Olympic medalist Stephen Kiprotich; Ms Catherine Mwesigwa Kizza, an editor at the New vision; Prof Florence Mirembe of Makerere University and Fr Silvester Rwomukubwe, the executive director Uganda Joint Christian Council.

Recommendations
On average, a Uganda midwife delivers 350-500 babies as opposed to the number recommended by World Health Organisation standard of one midwife per 175 births annually.

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