Invest in citizens to cause change in the countries

Sep 30, 2014

Last year, my sister died while giving birth in a private hospital in Kampala. She left behind a devastated husband and four children; her baby survived but suffered brain damage.

By Farida Luyiga

Last year, my sister died while giving birth in a private hospital in Kampala.  She left behind a devastated husband and four children; her baby survived but suffered brain damage.

My sister bled to death. There was no blood to save her life. It is then that I realised – if this level of neglect happens in a high end facility, what is birth like for most of my countrywomen? I joined White Ribbon Alliance where I am campaigning to make birth safe for women and newborns.
 

Every woman has the right to good quality, respectful, maternity care – and it is the role and responsibility of the Government to fund the provision of that care.
 

Despite Uganda Government’s commitment to the Global Strategy for Women and Children’s Health that half of health centres would provide emergency obstetric and newborn services, when we surveyed health facilities in three Districts of Uganda (Lira, Mityana, Kabale) we found not one health facility provided comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care.
 

Our survey brought community leaders together with district leaders and health workers; for the first time they began to work together as partners, without fear of blame.
 

We need investment in grassroots advocacy and accountability, as this is the fastest and most sustainable way to bring change.
 

In the past 500 days, we have held our government to account.
 

The Government of Uganda announced a pay rise of between 13% to 18 % for health workers, which is a big incentive for them.
 

Our health facilities are now being built/renovated; with electricity, with supplies, with more staff.
 

This is how we can prevent the deaths of the 17 mothers who die every day like my sister. I must say that none of us can calculate the value of the lives of mothers lost during childbirth. Only our many orphans and widowers know the true cost of a mother lost and they will tell you that these lives are priceless. Women and their families have a right to this investment.


Please support the citizens who are working so hard to bring the change needed and wanted in their own countries.


Communications officer for White Ribbon Alliance (WRA)

Related Stories


Wamala died of a cause she worked tirelessly to stop

Kadaga petitioned over maternal deaths

Bonabana’s road to maternal death

The time a mother is likely to die ...

Her mother’s death could have been prevented
 

 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});