Pilot US initiative improves maternal health in Uganda

By Raymond Baguma

The number of mothers dying in pregnancy and during childbirth has declined in the last one year in 8 districts that are piloting a US-supported initiative providing emergency obstetric and newborn care.

An evaluation report of the Saving Mothers, Giving Life initiative reveals a 30 percent decrease in the maternal mortality ratio in the implementing districts of Kabarole, Kibaale, Kamwenge and Kyenjojo.

Saving Mothers, Giving Life is a 5-year initiative that aims to address delays experienced by expectant mothers in seeking services, reaching health centres and receiving quality care. The interventions focus on the critical period when women are in labour, when they deliver as well as first 48 hours after birth when most mothers die and half of newborn deaths occur.

The initiative which was launched by the former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in June 2012 is also supported by the Norwegian government and is being implemented in Uganda and Zambia.

The inaugural annual report titled, “Making Pregnancy and Childbirth Safer in Uganda and Zambia,” was launched yesterday (Thursday) in Washington DC in the US.

According to a statement, the proportion of expected deliveries taking place at facilities in the districts piloting the Saving Mothers, Giving Life initiative, increased from 46 percent to 74 percent.

An evaluation of the initiative reveals that there is increased supervised delivery by mothers in health facilities, improvement in staffing and training to ensure timely and quality care for pregnant women as well as HIV/AIDS testing and treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the director general of health services said, “Uganda has made significant progress in improving maternal health outcomes over the past two decades but too many women still face life-threatening circumstances when they give birth. Our partnership with Saving Mothers has helped us augment existing national programs which seek to ensure safe and healthy pregnancies and childbirths throughout the country.”