‘Punish negligent husbands’

By Charles Jjuuko

Local councils should enact by-laws that punish husbands who neglect expectant women, the primary health care state minister has said.

“Men who do not provide intensive care for their pregnant wives should be taken to courts and be punished. This will reduce maternal death rates,” said Emmanuel Otaala.

The minister was speaking on Tuesday during celebrations of Safe Motherhood Day at Busaana sub-county in Kayunga district.
Otaala said husbands should care for their wives during and after pregnancy.

“The men should ensure that pregnant women have enough rest, sleep under insectcide-treated nets and eat nutritious foods.

“They should also help their pregnant partners in household chores and provide the money for clothing, medicine, transport and food,” Otaala added.

He advised that partners should plan their families together.

“The number of children the couple wants to have, the kind of spacing desirable and when to stop producing children should be discussed together.”