Door to door approach will curb maternal deaths - experts

Dec 05, 2017

Although Uganda’s maternal mortality rate has been declining, out every 100,000 women who give birth, 336 mothers die due to pregnancy-related complications every year

(From left) BRAC's Hasina Akhter, senior BRAC public relations officer John Pamba, communications officer, Siki Kigongo with acting director of health services Henry Mwebesa interacting during the stakeholders meeting at Hotel Africana December 4. Photo by Godiver Asege

A development organisation in Uganda is promoting a door to door health approach as one of the interventions to curb maternal and child mortality.

Although Uganda's maternal mortality rate has been declining in recent years, out every 100,000 women who give birth, 336 mothers die due to pregnancy-related complications every year.

The infant mortality rate stands at 43 deaths per 1,000 live births, under-five mortality at 54 per 1,000 live births according to statistics from ministry of health.

The door health service delivery approach is where care givers reach out to underprivileged communities and extend basic health products to underserved communities.

BRAC Uganda, an organisation with roots in Bangladesh has recruited 4,075 volunteers to record pregnancies, communicate about emergencies and provide essential medicines to women and children.

Known as ‘Community Health Promoters,' the volunteers' work is similar to that of Village Health Teams (VHTs) who provide reproductive, maternal and neonatal and child health support at community level.

The state minister for health, Sarah Opendi praised the approach for reducing infections for malaria, diarrhea and pneumonia.

Hasina Akhter, BRAC Uganda's country representative says the organization will promote integrated apprach to health linked to poverty alleviation, agriculture, microfinance and education.

"We want to contribute to the health system in Uganda through quality and sustainable approaches, drawing from the successful experience of our programmes in Bangladesh," she said.

 

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