Heavy bleeding causes nearly half of Uganda’s preventable maternal deaths — Experts
Dr Charles Olaro, the Director General of Health Services, says hemorrhage remains the leading preventable cause of maternal deaths, followed by pregnancy-related hypertension and infections such as sepsis.
Dr Charles Olaro, the Director General of Health Services, says hemorrhage remains the leading preventable cause of maternal deaths, followed by pregnancy-related hypertension and infections such as sepsis. (File photo)
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Nearly half of Uganda’s preventable maternal deaths are caused by heavy bleeding, while high blood pressure during pregnancy accounts for more than a quarter, the Ministry of Health has said.
Dr Charles Olaro, the Director General of Health Services, says hemorrhage remains the leading preventable cause of maternal deaths, followed by pregnancy-related hypertension and infections such as sepsis.
“Almost 50% of the mothers are dying because of haemorrhage,” Olaro said, adding that more than 25 to 27% of maternal deaths are linked to high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Uganda’s maternal mortality ratio currently stands at 189 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to Olaro, while the institutional maternal mortality ratio is about 60 deaths per 100,000 live births. The Ministry expects the national figure to fall further after the next Uganda Demographic and Health Survey, which is due to be conducted next year.
At a press conference in Kampala on September 30th, Olaro said the figures underline the need to strengthen maternity services at lower-level health facilities, where most Ugandan women receive care because of their proximity to communities.
Olaro said the government has upgraded more than 430 health centres as part of efforts to ensure that people can access essential health services within a five-kilometre radius. However, health officials and partners say infrastructure alone is not enough to prevent women from dying from complications that can develop rapidly during childbirth.
The Rotary Club of Kampala South, which has supported maternal and child health programmes for 14 years, reported that several lower-level facilities still require essential equipment to improve emergency care.
Francesca Kakoza, the club president, said the organisation is seeking partnerships to equip health facilities with automated complete blood count machines, oxygen concentrators, ultrasound machines and emergency transport.
The club is also seeking support for ambulance services, including lower-cost options such as tuk-tuk ambulances, to help move mothers and newborns who require higher-level care. Olaro said timely antenatal care is also critical because it allows health workers to identify women at increased risk of complications before labour.
During antenatal care, women with high blood pressure, anaemia, multiple pregnancies or large babies can be identified and their deliveries planned accordingly, Olaro added.
The Rotary Club of Kampala South has supported maternal and child health programmes at facilities including Chikandwa Health Centre III in Mukono, Kamganguzi Health Centre III in Kabale, Bushikori Christian Health Centre in Mbale and St Anthony Bukalaji Health Centre III in Gomba.
At Chikandwa alone, Kakooza said more than 20,000 ultrasound scans and more than 20,000 child immunisations have been conducted since the organisation began supporting the facility in 2014.
Gerald Obai, the Rotary District Governor 9213, said the organisation has invested more than $1 million through global grants in its Mamatoto Care Project, supporting 31 high-volume Health Centre IIIs and IVs in 14 districts.
The programme combines health-system strengthening with training of health workers and provision of essential equipment.
Obai said the availability of equipment must be matched with trained personnel and functioning referral systems because lower-level facilities often have to transfer women and newborns requiring specialised care.
Olaro said the government would continue working with partners to make maternity services more accessible and better equipped, particularly at facilities serving communities furthest from referral hospitals.
He said the focus is to ensure that preventable complications such as heavy bleeding, high blood pressure and sepsis do not turn childbirth into a life-threatening event.