In the bid to reduce the number of newborn babies dying in Kampala, the health ministry is going to distribute incubators and radiant warmers to health facilities.

The assistant commissioner in -charge of reproductive and infant health at the health ministry Dr Richard Mugahi said the ministry is going to implement its mandate in Kampala Capital City Authority by ensuring adequate infrastructure.

“We are going to create newborn care spaces in different health facilities that are within Kampala and equip them with incubators and warmers,” Dr. Mugahi said.

 Incubators and radiant warmers are enclosed apparatus in which premature or unusually small babies are placed. They are used to maintain the body temperature of newborn infants, a controlled and protective environment for their care.

Additionally, health facilities that are being upgraded,  plan to improve infrastructure, train and intensify supervision to ensure the health workers are productive.

This follows the release of the maternal and perinatal death audit report that revealed that Kampala city alone loses close to 70 babies every week. The deaths are recorded within the city and the surrounding districts of Kayunga, Mukono, and Wakiso, with the major causes being prematurity and lack of oxygen.

A premature baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, as opposed to 40 weeks of a typical pregnancy.

The report was released by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) at Africana Hotel in Kampala on Thursday.

Dr Mugahi is optimistic that if the issues in Kampala are addressed, the national maternal and newborn will reduce by three folds (30%.)