By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with
Published on 2024-01-21 04:35:28
The image shows the minister for Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, with guests and government officials inside the Neonatal unit of the facility. The first lady, also the minister of Education and Sports, Mrs. Janet Museveni, expressed Uganda’s intention to construct several state-of-the-art hospitals at the district level, similar to the Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital (MSWNH). These remarks were made during the sideline activities of the just concluded Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit, where visiting spouses of heads of state and governments were invited to tour the facility.
The aim was to share Uganda’s progress in maternal and newborn health and showcase the facility, which was constructed with a loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). The government plans to replicate the MSWNH facility at the district level and further improve health access throughout the country. The first lady emphasized the importance of increasing the number and capacity of health workers through training and mentorship to ensure well-stocked health facilities and adequate services for the people.
The hospital has contributed to a significant reduction in maternal health mortality rates, from 336 to 189 per 100,000 live births, according to the 2022 Uganda Demographic Survey. Efforts are ongoing to further reduce this rate to prevent maternal deaths during childbirth and pregnancy. Additionally, the first lady highlighted the importance of motivating health workers to provide excellent maternal and newborn care. The recent enhancement of health worker salaries is part of this motivation and will continue as the revenue base increases.
The executive director of MSWNH, Dr. Evelyn Nabunya, addressed the government’s staff shortage and emphasized the need for additional personnel to aid in delivering high-quality healthcare services. The hospital provides specialized services such as care for preterm babies, adolescent girls, assisted reproductive technologies, reconstructive surgeries, and menopause-related care.
Despite the specialized care, the hospital ensures that prices are subsidized and accessible to women referred from other facilities. Overall, the facility remains dedicated to providing innovative and specialized care, with a focus on the well-being of women in Uganda and the region.
Read the original article on The Observer
