More women dying in childbirth due to blood shortage

Mary Tumusabe was a resident of Kiterede Nsambya sub-county in Kyankwanzi district at the time of her death at the age of 35. 

Her death occurred shortly after she delivered twins on July 10 during her third pregnancy. 

On a fateful morning, Tumusabe was rushed to Mirembe General Clinic on Ntunda Kigando road in Katanabirwa trading centre, Kyankwanzi. 

She was admitted at about 6:30am. An examination was conducted that revealed she was in labour and fully dilated.  

Unfortunately, Tumusabe could not deliver naturally, states Betty Bogere, who was the midwife in-charge.

Unable to handle the situation, Bogere referred Tumusabe to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital. There were no vehicles available, so Bogere offered to take Tumusabe to the hospital in her personal car. Tumusabe's husband paid for the fuel.  She arrived at Hoima hospital at 1:00pm and after an exam, it was revealed that Tumushabe had obstructed labor.

She was rushed to the theatre and her twins were delivered through C-section.

Unfortunately, one of the babies had not made it. Although Tumusabe's life and that of one baby had been saved, the unthinkable happened. She started bleeding profusely and died at about 4:40pm (three hours and 40 minutes after admission). She could not be transfused because the hospital did not have blood.

Sadly, this situation occurs more often than we would like to think. The shortage of blood was exacerbated during the lockdown. Why you may ask. Find the answers in the Her Vision section of the New Vision today.