Rotary Club of Fort Portal has partnered with the Ministry of Health to promote child and maternal health services in Fort Portal city and Kamwenge district.

Maternal health services in Kamwenge district is still a challenge for expectant mothers. They trek 20 kilometres to access maternal health services at the nearest health facility.

"The health facilities are far away from our communities and the roads are bad which affects transportation," said mothers adding that this has forced them to abandon antenatal services.

Bob Businge, the new president of Fort Portal Rotary Club said Thursday (July 22) during the club’s 4th installation ceremony in Fort Portal city, the club will conduct outreach programmes and also sensitise the locals about maternal health.

“Most mothers cannot access health facilities hence die in the hands of traditional birth attendants,” Businge said.

He added that Rotarians mobilized resources to provide ambulance services in rural villages and support other interventions to maternal health services.

Dr. William Mucunguzi, the district health officer for Kamwenge district said the district is grappling with maternal health services.

"Some health facilities in the district are not equipped citing an example of Bisozi health centre which lacks equipment," he said.

Gladys Musiime, a resident of Rukunyu said she lost her baby on her way to Rukunyu health III.

“Accessing the health centre is very difficult when it rains, the roads become muddy and motorcycles cannot go through. It takes around three days for the road to dry up, so women have to deliver from their homes,” Musiime said.

Like Muiime, Elizabeth Birungi another mother said they always reach the facility late for antenatal services and delivery due to the long-distance and steepness of the area.

"Mothers have to walk to the health facility each month amidst the challenge of bad roads. Because of this, many have delivered on the way," she said.

Birungi said that women with birth complications are always referred to Fort Portal regional referral hospital, which is about 80 kilometres away.