Oulanyah commends Lalogi on improved maternal healthcare

MATERNAL HEALTH

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah has commended efforts made by Lalogi Health Centre IV in reducing the number of maternal deaths in Omoro district to zero per cent in 2018.

Oulanyah says the new statistics are attributed to committed health workers at the health centre and the improving early response of community members, which brings more hope of good maternal health for the district and the country at large.

"This means Uganda has the potential of bringing maternal deaths to zero across the country's health centres because this has been illustrated in one district," said Oulanyah.

He, however, observed that two maternal deaths had been registered by the health centre in 2019, which was majorly attributed to delayed access to medical services by expectant mothers. He said a better force of health workers is the best remedy to this gap.

"If we support these facilities with sufficient funding and a well-motivated human resource, we can end unnecessary deaths of mothers and babies in hospitals. We also have to sensitize to the public to always seek early medical attention" Oulanyah added.

The Deputy Speaker made the remarks while officiating over the handover of 300 mama kits and postnatal medical equipment valued at over shs60 million, to Lalogi Health Centre Four in Omoro district.

The Mama kits have been donated in part, by the Christian Counselling Fellowship (CCF) and partners, on top of finances donated by residents of the district to procure the kits to aid mothers in the district.

Director CCF Alice Acan said that many mothers experienced challenges with taking care of their new-born babies upon leaving the hospital, which posed an urgent need to provide maternal kits that can improve their healthcare.

"Lalogi Health Centre IV serves patients from Omoro, Pader and Nwoya districts. We raised 1200 mama kits which we shall distribute to health centres in these districts. We have also donated baby warmers to help newborn babies contain temperatures after birth," said Acan.

Omoro district Woman MP Hon. Catherine Lamwaka called for the revival of activities and meetings by the district health committee, so as to avail the necessary stakeholders with information to guide interventions in closing some of the gaps therein.

The Deputy Speaker also donated 30 hospital beds and mattresses, four delivery beds, 30 blankets and 30 pairs of bedsheets to Lalogi Health Centre IV, and advised health workers and the community to respect each other in their lines of duty and service.