Health

Expectant Yumbe mothers receive mama kits

The kits were donated to the mothers by AirServ Limited, an aviation services firm that operates between Arua and Entebbe, as part of its commitment to support maternal health in communities where it operates.

The excited expectant mothers show off their mama kits received from AirServ. (Photo by Robert Adiga)
By: Robert Adiga, Journalist @New Vision

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Over 30 expectant and new mothers from Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital have received mama kits containing essential delivery items.

The kits were donated to the mothers by AirServ Limited, an aviation services firm that operates between Arua and Entebbe, as part of its commitment to support maternal health in communities where it operates.

Each Mama kit contained key items needed for safe delivery, including cotton wool, surgical gloves, razor blades, baby wrappers, soap, sanitary pads, and polythene sheets.

The staff of AirServ offloading the mama kits from the car at Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital. (Photo by Robert Adiga)

The staff of AirServ offloading the mama kits from the car at Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital. (Photo by Robert Adiga)


Receiving the items on November 2, the in-charge, Maternal Child Health and Child Friendly Services at Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital, Jacinta Abalo, commended the timely intervention, saying the majority of the mothers attaining antenatal services at the unit do not afford mama kits on their own.

“Most of the mothers come without necessities during delivery. So, this support is timely for them as levels of poverty are high in this district with most women married to polygamous men,” Abalo noted.

Dr. Nasur Mubarak, the Acting Senior Executive Consultant at Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital, stated that the facility often faces shortages of essential supplies, such as mama kits. This is primarily due to the overwhelming demand, as the hospital delivers over 500 mothers each month.

Speaking during the handover at the hospital maternity ward, Robinah Nalumu, the director of marketing and client care at AirServ, said the donation came after a thorough needs assessment of the vulnerable communities in areas like Arua, Koboko and Yumbe where they operate.

Yumbe lactating mothers receiving mama kits from the staff of AirServ Ltd. (Photo by Robert Adiga)

Yumbe lactating mothers receiving mama kits from the staff of AirServ Ltd. (Photo by Robert Adiga)


“We have so far operated for three months, and the support we have received from customers from Arua, Yumbe and Koboko is overwhelming, and there is no better way to appreciate them, especially the vulnerable community," said Nalumu.

‘Relieving a big burden’

The beneficiary mothers commend AirServe for relieving a big burden on them, as many of them could not afford to buy decent mama kits.

Devine Sahida, a 27-year-old expectant mother from Alinga Village in Yumbe's Kuru Town Council, said it is the first time she is getting a full mama kit.

“I have just been buying Kavera (polythene bag) and cotton wool because mama kits are expensive and I could not afford them. But this time, I am proud that I got this chance from AirServ,” said the mother of three, who is expecting her fourth child.

Faiza Cheka, another expectant mother, who was overwhelmed with joy after receiving the mama kit, encouraged the company to continue supporting the mothers, as most of them cannot afford the kits.

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Tags:
Yumbe district
Mama kits
Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital
AirServ Limited