As the country approaches the 4th National Safe Motherhood Conference in 2024, the Ministry of
Health reveals that the maternal mortality ratio has decreased from 523 per 100,000 live births in 1991
to 189 per 100,000 live births in 2023.
To strengthen reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH), the Ministry
has engaged various stakeholders, including religious and cultural leaders, as well as the media, to work
collectively toward ensuring that all mothers and children survive delivery and further reduce maternal
mortality rates.
According to Dr. Richard Mugahi, the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Reproductive and Infant
Health, increased maternal mortality rates in Uganda are largely caused by unintended pregnancies.
Forty-five percent of women experience unintended pregnancies, with 62% of these occurring among
adolescents aged 10 to 19. As a result, 10% of women die due to pregnancy-related sepsis and abortion.
“As we address maternal mortality, we must also focus on managing high blood pressure during
pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period to reduce the risk of eclampsia,” Dr. Mugahi noted.
During the pre-Safe Motherhood media engagement meeting at Fairway Hotel in Kampala, the Ministry
of Health revealed that among the factors contributing to maternal mortality rates in the country are
mothers who do not seek antenatal care services and those who deliver with unskilled personnel, such
as traditional birth attendants in rural areas. These attendants often refer mothers to health centers
after failing to assist them, and by the time they reach the hospitals, it is sometimes too late for both the
mother and the baby to survive.
In her speech delivered by Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, the Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health,
the State Minister for Health, Primary Health Care, Hon. Margaret Muhanga, revealed that the ministry
recommends women have eight antenatal visits starting from the time they discover they are pregnant.
These visits are crucial for testing and ensuring the safety of both mother and baby. If any complications
are identified, assistance can be provided as soon as possible. This initiative aims to continue reducing
maternal mortality rates in the country.
Hon. Muhanga urged the media to highlight and promote government initiatives aimed at improving
maternal health, encouraging the public to utilize these services. She also called on the media to use
their stories to influence policymakers to support essential programs, thereby further reducing the
maternal mortality rate.
In his own words, Dr. Kyabayinze noted that although challenges remain, several factors contributing to
maternal mortality have been addressed. These include the availability of blood for mothers during
delivery, the construction of more health centers for maternal care, the provision of additional
ambulances by individuals alongside government ambulances, an increase in qualified experts attending
to mothers during delivery, and improved awareness among women about avoiding childbirth when
they are not physically ready, among other issues.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Deogratias Migadde, a Technical Officer in the Ministry of Health,
emphasized the need for mothers to avoid delivering with unskilled personnel, in trees, at home, or in
other locations away from hospitals. He urged mothers to ensure they reach healthcare facilities as soon
as they go into labor.
He expressed concern over the mothers who die from avoidable complications and urged that if the
media, communities, leaders, families, health centers, and other stakeholders work together, these
tragedies can be prevented.
Dr. Kyabayinze highlighted that, according to the UDHS results for 2022, the government has reduced
the maternal mortality ratio from 336 to 189 per 1000 live births, decreased infant mortality from 43 to
36 per 1,000 live births, and reduced under-five mortality from 60 to 52 per 1,000 live births.
Additionally, there has been a minimal reduction in teenage pregnancies, decreasing from 25% in 2006
to 24% in 2022.
While presenting the media commitments for 2023, the president of the Health Journalists Network in
Uganda Esther Nakazzi, revealed that the media has fulfilled its commitments by writing, reporting, and
publishing numerous stories related to RMNCAH.
The media has also dispelled myths and misconceptions surrounding RMNCAH services, convened media cafes to discuss health issues, and
produced stories that address RMNCAH, among other commitments.
Esther reaffirmed that HEJNU will continue its commitments as a way of collaborating with the ministry
and expressed that more funding is needed to ensure that work proceeds smoothly.
The 4th National Safe Motherhood Conference will take place from October 29 to 31, 2024, at Speke
Resort Munyonyo, under the theme “Strengthening Community Engagement for Sustainable Maternal
and Child Health.”
