Lois Quam, the Executive Director of President Obamas Global Health Initiative (GHI),
By John Odyek
The Executive Director of US President Barack Obama's Global Health Initiative (GHI) Lois Quam arrives in Uganda today (Monday) for a one week visit to support the Ministry of Health's effort to reduce maternal deaths by 50 percent in four western districts by the end of 2012.
A statement from the US Embassy in Kampala said Quam will travel to Kabarole and Kyenjojo districts, both of which have been identified as locations where intensified efforts to decrease maternal mortality could have immediate and significant impact.
According to ministry of health and other health experts, the common causes of death among pregnant mothers are over bleeding, infection, obstructed labour, abortion, pregnancy related hypertension and compounding factors that include malaria and HIV/Aids disease.
Uganda has one the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world, with 435 maternal deaths for each hundred thousand live births.
Only one in four girls have access to contraceptives, and 50 percent of all pregnancies are unintended, resulting in the deaths of around 16 Ugandan mothers each day.
Uganda has a shortfall of 2000 midwives who are critical to reduce maternal mortality as pregnant mothers must deliver with a skilled attendant according to the Uganda Nations Fund (UNFPA) for Population Activities.
At moment only 42% of pregnant women deliver with a skilled attendant, others deliver with TBA, relative or alone according to the Uganda Demographic Health Survey (UDHS) report.