Health
Rotary donates neonatal equipment to Masaka, Kalungu facilities
Rotary Club of Masaka City president Sortius Ssegawa led the team that delivered the items to Bukulula and Kyanamukaka health centres in Masaka and Kalungu districts this week.
Members of the Rotary Club of Masaka led by their President, Sortius Ssegawa handing over the Neonatal medical equipment to officials to benefit Masaka and Kalungu district. (Credit: Dismus Buregyeya)
By: Dismus Buregeya, Journalist @New Vision
MASAKA - The Rotary Club of Masaka City has donated neonatal medical equipment to rural health centres in Masaka and Kalungu districts to curb deaths in preterm infants.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), prematurity has become the leading cause of newborn deaths worldwide, resulting in more than one million deaths each year.
That means the Rotary donation aimed at supporting preterm babies is crucial.
The equipment includes oxygen concentrators, suction pumps, pulse oximeters and flow splitters.
The assortment was donated under the Empowering Families, Growing Future Maternal Health project.
Rotary Club of Masaka City president Sortius Ssegawa led the team that delivered the items to Bukulula and Kyanamukaka health centres in Masaka and Kalungu districts this week.
The intervention was based on a report from the Masaka District Health Department of a rise this year in premature births, from 25 to 40, at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, causing stress on hospital resources, space and staff.
The report indicates that out of 385 neonatal cases registered at the facility, 41(10.6%) died as a result of prematurity and infections, among others, indicating that one out of 10 neonatal births did not survive.
Rotary Club of Masaka City president Sortius Ssegawa led the team that delivered the items to Bukulula and Kyanamukaka health centres in Masaka and Kalungu districts this week.
The intervention was based on a report from the Masaka District Health Department of a rise this year in premature births, from 25 to 40, at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, causing stress on hospital resources, space and staff.
The report indicates that out of 385 neonatal cases registered at the facility, 41(10.6%) died as a result of prematurity and infections, among others, indicating that one out of 10 neonatal births did not survive.
Rotary leader Ssegawa told reporters at the Masaka district administration that their project will train at least 170 midwives, nurses and trainers to reach out to over 90,000 mothers and newborns.
The goal is to reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates at the health centres by more than 20%.
Masaka Regional Referral Hospital is among the facilities grappling with congestion, especially in the maternity wing.
Dr Herbert Kalema, a gynaecologist at the hospital, said an average of 30 deliveries are conducted every day at the facility, yet the hospital lacks enough space and beds to handle the high numbers.
He said the government plans to support the hospital with a new maternal and children ward to accommodate more clients.
According to Kalema, Uganda’s maternal mortality rate has consistently been one of the highest in Africa, with women dying of pregnancy-related complications.
The goal is to reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates at the health centres by more than 20%.
Masaka Regional Referral Hospital is among the facilities grappling with congestion, especially in the maternity wing.
Dr Herbert Kalema, a gynaecologist at the hospital, said an average of 30 deliveries are conducted every day at the facility, yet the hospital lacks enough space and beds to handle the high numbers.
He said the government plans to support the hospital with a new maternal and children ward to accommodate more clients.
According to Kalema, Uganda’s maternal mortality rate has consistently been one of the highest in Africa, with women dying of pregnancy-related complications.