Health facilities lack drugs to manage preeclampsia - study

(L-R) Assistant Commissioner Child Health Dr. Jesca Nsungwa, the head of programs at AMREF health Africa Patrick Kagurusi and director Coalition for Health Promotions and Social Development, Denis Kibira chat after the meeting. PHOTO: Violet Nabatanzi

A recent report has shown that most health facilities are lacking magnesium sulfate a drug used to in the treatment of pre-term labour and preeclampsiain in pregnancies.

A study done in 124 health facilities across the country, revealed that availability of magnesium sulfate in public facilities was below 20% of what is required and in private facilities at it is 5%

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that causes high blood pressure, kidney damage, and other problems.

Presenting the findings in Kampala, the executive director Coalition for Health Promotions and Social Development Denis Kibira said, if such drugs are not available in health facilities , this means that more expectant mothers suffering from preeclampsia are likely to die.`

The head of programs at AMREF health Africa Patrick Kagurusi said, there should be a collective action to ensure that the drug is available in all health facilities, adding that efforts should also be put on health workers to ensure that they get enough skills on how to treat pre-eclampsia.

Currently, maternal mortality stands at 336 deaths per 100,000 live births. Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia is the most common cause of maternal deaths and it accounts for 6% of maternal deaths after postpartum haemorrhage.

On a daily basis, Mulago National Referral hospital admits four mothers due to pre-eclampsia.

The research aimed at giving a picture of Uganda's current situation regarding access to sexual and reproductive health commodities, and to identify how to improve access these commodities.

It also indicated that availability of dexamethasone drug used in the management of pre-term labour for improving foetal lung maturity was also relatively low, in the public facilities.

Female condoms were also few in public facilities, vasectomy and tubal ligation kits were also not commonly found at health facilities.

Symptoms of preeclampsia

Severe headache that does not cure even with medication, pain in the upper right part of the abdomen with nausea or vomiting, body swelling, for example face, hands and abnormal weight gain among others.