Kamuli residents embrace family planning

By Violet Nabatanzi

The uptake of family planning services in Kamuli district has increased from 23% to 35 %.

The District Health officer (DHO), Dr. Dinah Nakiganda said compared to the past, residents are willing to use family planning.

Nakiganda attributed the increase to continuous sensitization and interventions by Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung (DSW) through Euro-Leverage project.

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The project has supported health management committee to have meetings. It has also managed to link health committees with communities through dialogues, and this has helped the officials to know what the residents want in regard to health service delivery.

Nakiganda also said skilled deliveries at health facilities have also gone up from 44% to 50%.

She however said they have registered five cases of maternal deaths in the district in the last quarter.

"We still need to sensitize expectant mothers to report to hospital early when they are going to deliver, because many of them come late," she said.

She revealed that,  the number of teenage pregnancies is still high in Busoga region adding that they are trying to address the problem by putting in place youth friendly corners and adolescent clinics at the health facilities.

"We want to establish these corners at all health facilities, but we shall start with Namasagali health center III, and there after we shall move to other facilities," Nakiganda said.

The medical records officer of Kitayunjwe health Centre III Kamuli district David Mwanga said; at this facility family planning uptake is still low due to cultural beliefs and economic issues.

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Milton Kitamirike, a resident of Kamuli district discusses about family planning during a meeting with officials from Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung (DSW) at Kitayunjwe health center III,Kamuli district. Photos/ Violet Nabatanzi

He said some of the  mothers derive security from their children, so they produce as many as possible while other say they have big land to accommodate their children.

DSW National Team coordinator, Anne Alan Sizomu said the project has helped to improve the relationship between the health workers, DHO and the community.