Midwives urged to restore image

By Vivian Agaba

IN the recent past, some members of the public have blamed midwives for mistreatment of patients especially expectant mothers, something that has tainted the image of the midwifery sector.

In order to remedy that, midwives and nurses have been advised to work together effectively and provide maximum care, comfort and loving environment for patients while carrying out their duties of providing health care services in hospitals.

Ursula Kiiza, a senior examinations officer at Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board said midwives have at times been blamed for being rude, unfriendly towards patients especially expectant mothers, something that has affected the section’s image and therefore midwives need to perform their duties together as a team for the good of the patients and restore their image.

“We have many challenges among them poor living and working conditions, work load, delayed salaries, limited leave resulting from shortage of staff. All these challenges bring stress to midwives and sometimes, some of them act unethically. However, such limitations should not stop us from doing our work well. As midwives and nurses, we need to work together as a team in providing the best health services to patients something that will create harmony between them and us,” said Kiiza.

Kiiza made these remarks while speaking to students of midwifery as the guest of honour during the guild handover ceremony held at Mengo Hospital. 

During the function, a school magazine entitled ‘The Vessel’ containing health content including nutrition, criminal abortion, leadership and personal development was launched.

She asked government to increase on the number of midwives in the country, equip hospitals with more equipment used especially during deliveries and also improve the working and living conditions of midwives and nurse.

Principal tutor, Mengo School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mercy Mutyaba asked students of nursing and midwifery to be disciplined, hardworking and aim at gaining more knowledge and use it to improve lives of many Ugandans.