Postnatal care is a money saving tip - expert

A Nsambya hospital midwife cleans a baby as the mother looks on. PHOTO BY Rachel Mabala

Kampala.
Attending a postnatal health education session is a measure of cutting back on mothers’ expenditures, a medical expert has advised.
Dr Herman Sempewo, the deputy medical director of Nsambya hospital, said new mothers spend less on treating their children and themselves when they are taught how to steer clear of the likely causes of disease, .

Dr Sempewo made the remarks yesterday, at the hospital’s premises, while launching a Mukwano Group of Companies initiative of conducting postnatal care sessions at Nsambya Hospital’s maternal unit.

The idea, said Ms Patience Agaba, the human resource manager of Mukwano, was sparked by the worryingly high child mortality rates in the country. With a proper postnatal care, more babies can survive the crucial first four weeks. A number of lives will be saved as a result of the initiative, Agaba stated.

“For starters, we chose Nsambya hospital because it is in the company’s neighbourhood. We expect to replicate the programme in other hospitals.” she said. Adding: “This is one of our numerous Corporate Social Responsibility activities. The session will be done annually on a suitable day. But we’ll propose we settle for either Mothers’ day or day of the African Child.”