31 babies die of asphyxia at Mulago in November alone

This month alone Mulago National Referral Hospital has so far lost 31 babies due to severe asphyxia and complications associated with prematurity. 

This was disclosed by the Minister of Health in charge of General Duties, Sarah Opendi.

Birth asphyxia occurs when a baby doesn't receive enough oxygen before, during or just after birth. Causes of birth asphyxia include too little oxygen in the mother's blood before or during birth.

Ever since the month started about 1,030 normal deliveries and 562 caesarean section were performed while in October out of 1,524 normal deliveries and 356 caesarean section performed, 56 babies died.

This means that on average about 1277 normal deliveries are performed and about 459 caesarean sections are carried out every month. Opendi said the babies died as a result of late referrals. 

Currently Kawempe hospital only handles expectant mothers and new-born babies and babies below one month while sick children above one month are being managed at upper Mulago Paediatric Directorate.

"While the withdrawal of postgraduate medical students has created a gap, with a longer patient waiting time in the Out Patient Department, the process of healthcare delivery has not been significantly affected" Opendi said.

The executive director Mulago Dr Baterana Byarugaba said if the mothers had reported to the hospital early enough the experts would have save the babies.

Before the closure of Makerere University at least 64 masters' students were deployed in Kawempe Hospital while 56 students were at Mulago Hospital.

Currently 34 specialists and five medical officers are managing the labour suit while four specialists are attending to the Special Care Unit (SCU). And about 76 midwives are stationed in the labour ward and 20 nurse midwives in SCU. Meanwhile the facility has 21 intern doctors.

Byarugaba said the master students were training under the supervision of the specialists employed and deployed at Mulago Hospital.