New knowledge hub targets postpartum deaths through tele-support

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The health ministry has launched a national knowledge hub at Kawempe National Referral Hospital aimed at cutting maternal deaths, particularly those caused by postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), through telemedicine, simulation training and real-time specialist support.

The facility unveiled on February 24, 2026, by permanent secretary Dr Diana Atwine is funded by the European Union (EU), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other partners with technical guidance from the National Safe Motherhood Expert Committee (NASMEC).

According to the ministry, the hub integrates three critical functions of referral co-ordination, skills simulation training and tele-support. Through digital platforms, frontline health workers in rural and lower-level facilities will be able to consult specialists in real time, participate in case reviews and receive mentorship in handling obstetric emergencies.

Speaking at the launch, UNFPA representative Kristine Blokhus said the innovation reflects Uganda’s commitment to building a modern, responsive and learning-orientated health system.

“This creates a bridge between specialist expertise at the national level and providers in districts and hard-to-reach areas. A woman in a rural area should benefit from the same quality of care as a woman in Kampala," she said.

Blokhus said UNFPA’s support goes beyond infrastructure to strengthening systems, including maternal death surveillance, midwifery training, procurement of lifesaving commodities such as oxytocin and magnesium sulphate, and digital reporting tools.

She added that the Knowledge Hub could evolve into a sustainable national platform for case reviews, peer-to-peer exchange and real-time mentorship, reducing isolation among frontline providers in hard-to-reach districts.

Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine, UNFPA Representative Kristine Blokhus, EU Head of Cooperation Karolina Hedstrom and Dr Byaruhanga Emmanuel Kayonza cut a ribbon to officially open the new hub.

The hub is part of the Safe Birth Africa initiative supported by the EU across five countries. EU Head of Cooperation Karolina Hedstrom described the platform as a milestone in the collective effort to reduce maternal mortality.

50 years of co-operation

She noted that 2026 marks 50 years of EU co-operation with Uganda, with over euros five billion invested in sectors, including health, infrastructure and education.

“This is about strengthening national systems and enabling professionals to learn from one another. For us, strengthening professional collaboration and national leadership is just as important as equipment,” she said.

“Regional platforms allow innovation and evidence to move faster and complement national efforts.”

Hedstrom noted that the initiative also aligns with the EU’s broader Team Europe approach and the African Union–European Union Health Partnership, which promote joint solutions to shared sexual and reproductive health challenges.

At Kawempe Hospital, where the hub was set up, officials said the model is already proving impactful.

Executive director Dr Byaruhanga Emmanuel Kayonza revealed that maternal deaths at the facility have dropped from 48 per quarter to about 20–24, with PPH-related deaths reduced by 60 per cent following system improvements, digitalisation and better equipment.

Atwine said the knowledge hub aligns with the ministry’s broader focus this year on strengthening human resources for health and standardising care nationwide.

“How do we ensure that someone in the community gets the same services as Kampala?” she asked.

“Through technology, information can be relayed in real time, and specialists can intervene wherever they are.”

She emphasised that alongside digital innovation, the government is prioritising the availability of essential lifesaving commodities and improved accountability systems.

UNFPA officials said once tested and stabilised, the tele-support model will be scaled nationally and integrated into Uganda’s digital health strategy, potentially extending beyond maternity care to surgical and other specialised services.