Mothers want gov't to maintain health vouchers project

 

 

The mothers said that the vouchers have helped them to access quality health services since the majority of them are low-income earners.  

 

The four year programme which is expected to end this year was designed to support 132,400 pregnant women to deliver under skilled attendance through a subsidized voucher scheme offering packages of safe delivery services consisting of four antenatal visits, safe delivery, and one postnatal visit, post-partum family planning, treatment and management of selected pregnancy-related medical conditions and complications and emergency transport.

 

Sponsored by the World Bank, SIDA and UNFPA, the programme has increased access to safe delivery services for marginalized women living in rural and disadvantaged areas.

 

The project was rolled out in 25 districts of Kiruhura, Mbarara, Ibanda, Sheema, Buhweju, Rubirizi, Mitooma, Isingiro, Ntungano, Kabale and Kanungu.

 Nnyombi, the programme's director Marie Stopes-Uganda presenting their achievements of the reproductive health voucher during a meeting with Members of Parliament on Health services committee 

Others districts include Jinja, Kamuli, Buyende, Luuka, Iganga, Mayuge, Kaliro, Namutumba, Namayingo, Bugiri, Kibuuku, Tororo and Busia.

Jennifer Nakekyo, a resident of Iganga district said the programme has helped since she lost her husband when she was four months pregnant.

 

The director of programmes Marie Stopes Uganda, William Nnyombi said they have achieved 96% of the performance targets in serving the mothers under the programme.

 

"We have reached out to communities and sensitised mothers how to access these services," Nnyombi said.

 

Dr. Patrick Chemandwa, the in charge of Namungalwe HC IV said after the introduction of the programme, the rate of maternal mortality also went down. He said the number of antenatal care increased from 300 to 600 while deliveries went up from 60 to 120.