New anti-bleeding drug for mothers rolled out
Speaking during the same event, National PPH Champion Charlotte Kainerugaba urged women to seek medical care as soon as they suspect pregnancy so they can be screened and treated for conditions such as anaemia that increase the risk of complications during childbirth.
Charlotte Kainerugaba signing on the Uganda National Obstetric Haemorrhage Implementation framework during the commemoration of the International Day of Postpartum Haemorrhage in Kibuku district, right is UNFPA Deputy Country Representative Daniel Alemu and Dr Patrick Kagurusi, the Country Manager of Amref Health Africa in Uganda. (Credit: Violet Nabatanzi)
The Government has rolled out a new heat-stable long-acting medicine to prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth, a complication responsible for about 35% of maternal deaths in Uganda.
The medicine, known as heat stable carbetocin, has been distributed to health facilities across the country, and health workers have been trained in its use, according to the health ministry.
The commissioner in charge of reproductive and child health at the health ministry, Dr Richard Mugahi, says the drug is designed to prevent postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), a condition that can quickly become fatal if not treated promptly.
PPH refers to excessive bleeding after childbirth and can become life-threatening post-partum deaths. The burden has also been reported in eastern Uganda. In Kibuku, 94 cases of PPH were recorded in one year, although no mother died from the condition during that period.
In Mbale, however, 11 mothers died from excessive bleeding in one year, highlighting the need for timely access to medicines, blood and skilled health workers.
“We have newer drugs that have come. We used to use some of the drugs that are stored in fridges, but now we have drugs that cannot be stored even in fridges,” Mugahi said on Monday during the commemoration of the International Day of Postpartum Haemorrhage and the launch of the Obstetric Haemorrhage Intervention Framework in Kibuku district.
How the drug works
Mugahi said heat-stable carbetocin helps the uterus contract after delivery, reducing the risk of severe bleeding. “Every woman who delivers in our healthcare facilities is given the drug so that they don’t bleed,” Mugahi said.
Biggest threat
Mugahi said PPH remains one of the biggest threats to maternal health in Uganda, contributing about 35% of maternal deaths.
“When the drug doesn’t work, we also have other drugs that can help stop the bleeding, such as oxytocin and tranexamic acid. If that fails, we take the mother to theatre,” Mugahi said.
(L-R) UNFPA Deputy Country Representative Daniel Alemu ,Sylvia Katooko Damba Woman Member of Parliament , Charlotte Kainerugaba also the National PPH Champion, Dr Patrick Kagurusi, the Country Manager of Amref Health Africa in Uganda and Dr Richard Mugahi, Commissioner for Reproductive and Child Health. (Credit: Violet Nabatanzi)
Health experts say a woman experiencing severe postpartum haemorrhage can die within one to two hours if emergency treatment is not administered.
“In fact, when PPH happens in a hospital, you ring a bell to alert everyone of the emergency,” Mugahi said.
The need for rapid response is underscored by experiences such as that of 22-year-old Amina Katiek of Kibuku district, who survived severe bleeding after childbirth. She received three litres of blood, multiple intravenous fluids and emergency care.
Midwife shortage
Health officials say improved access to medicines, blood and skilled health workers is helping to save lives, although challenges remain.
Mugahi cited shortages of midwives as one of the biggest obstacles in responding to obstetric emergencies, particularly in facilities with high patient numbers. He urged expectant mothers to seek antenatal care.
Speaking during the same event, National PPH Champion Charlotte Kainerugaba urged women to seek medical care as soon as they suspect pregnancy so they can be screened and treated for conditions such as anaemia that increase the risk of complications during childbirth.
“This will help because even when you deliver and lose blood, it may not become severe enough to kill you,” Kainerugaba said.
United Nations Population Fund deputy country representative Daniel Alemu called for the need to keep girls in school and encourage communities to use family planning to space births so that every pregnancy is planned and every mother has time to regain her strength.