With the high rate of maternal mortality in the country, Reach A Hand Uganda in partnership with the Bergstrom Foundation have implemented the Udecide UG project in the Rwenzori Region.
This project aims at having a reduction in maternal mortality and increase in awareness and access to family planning and contraception services for all people.
Access to sexual reproductive health services remains one of the most critical challenges in the Rwenzori region and this breeds from the lack of reliable information and inadequate medical services and equipment to facilitate health services which has led to increase in Maternal Mortality.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines maternal health as the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.
According to estimates from Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Ugandas maternal mortality ratio, the annual number of deaths of women from pregnancy-related causes per 100,000 live births stands at 343 after allowing for adjustments. Women die as a result of complications during and following pregnancy and childbirth and the major complications include severe bleeding, infections, unsafe abortion and obstructed labor.
In an effort to end maternal mortality, with support from the Bergstrom foundation, the Reach A Hand Uganda team in Kasese led by their CEO and Founder Humphrey Nabimanya opened the year by distributing medical equipment such as examination beds, IUD sets, blood pressure machines, allegetor forceps, bed screens, gas cylinders, MVA sets, equipment sterilizers, among others, to health centers in this region including, H/C III, Kanyatsi H/C II, Kyempara H/C III, Ibanda H/C II and Buhuhira H/C III in kasese and then Rwimi H/C III, Kasunganyanja H/C III, Kibiito H/C IV, Kisomoro H/C III, Rubona H/C III, Kibaate H/C III, Mitandi H/C III, Kiyomba H/C III and Kabahango H/C III. This was done to better access health services and reduces the cases of maternal mortality in thisd region.
While addressing the people, the CEO of Reach A Hand Uganda , Humphrey Nabimanya noted that it was the beginning of transformation and change in remote areas.
Through the different projects, we commit to extending these services and trainings from grassroot level to promote inclusivness in health and to address local issues and find common ground on how we can solve the key SRHR emerging issues,” he said.
He added that “In addition to this, a values clarification training for health workers was also done to equip health workers with the knowledge and skills on how best to handle and manage PAC (Post Abortion Care) cases at their respective health centres,”