36 maternity wards receive facelift to improve maternal health

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In an effort to improve maternal health services, thirty-six maternity wards have been renovated. Ipas Africa Alliance-Uganda carried out these upgrades in the sub-counties of Petta and Busitema in Tororo and Busia districts respectively.

According to the National Annual Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response Report 2023/2024, Uganda has achieved a significant increase in institutional deliveries, from 1,182,370 in the 2019/2020 fiscal year to 1,478,782 in 2023/2024 a 25.1% rise over the past five years.

The Institutional Maternal Mortality Ratio (IMMR) decreased from 99.97 per 100,000 deliveries in 2019/2020 to 82.6 per 100,000 in 2023/2024, marking a 17.4% reduction over the same period.

This improvement is attributed to increased access to healthcare facilities, enhanced quality of care, effective public health campaigns, better management of maternal complications, more skilled birth attendants, regional coordination through Local Maternity and Neonatal Systems (LMNS), and investments in maternal health.

Speaking at the 4th Safe Motherhood Conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Thursday, Grace Atim, in charge of Tororo General Hospital, highlighted how gender-based violence (GBV) impacts women's access to healthcare. She noted that GBV cases are rampant in the district, often affecting women and their families.

“When a girl gets pregnant, it’s usually seen as the mother’s problem. Women are victimized, and harsh husbands may even resort to violence, saying, ‘It’s your child.’ Yet, if a girl achieves something good, she’s the father’s daughter,” Atim explained. She added that many girls, aware of the challenges at home, sometimes delay seeking healthcare to shield their mothers from GBV.

Annah Kukundakwe, Ipas Country Program Manager for Uganda, stated that by-laws promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) have been enacted in Petta and Busitema sub-counties.

“Our Uganda program is an essential part of our larger East Africa initiative, which empowers women and girls by increasing access to safe, compassionate care. This initiative is also integrated with the Ipas Global Impact Network, collaborating with like-minded organizations to advance gender equality and bodily autonomy worldwide. We pledge our commitment to the Ugandan government and the women and girls we serve, aiming to build a future where no woman or girl dies from preventable causes and where they are empowered to make decisions about their bodies and futures,” Kukundakwe said.

To promote safe motherhood, Ipas operates in 12 districts across Uganda, including Jinja, Kamuli, Iganga, Mbale, Tororo, Busia, Kampala, Wakiso, Mpigi, Gulu, Arua, and Yumbe. The organization collaborates with 120 public health facilities, providing support through health worker training, mentorship, and distribution of post-abortion care supplies.

Silvester Ochieno, Health Systems Advisor at Ipas, emphasized their community-centred approach: “Our approach is holistic, rooted in the principles of reproductive justice, and ensures that women and girls can make informed decisions about their reproductive health, free from external pressures or barriers. We work alongside local partners and healthcare professionals to provide care that not only saves lives but also respects the dignity and rights of every individual.”