Pregnant Women Still Travel Long Distances to Access Life Saving Services

Dr. Richard Okello at a health facility
assessment meeting of EmONC at Ogur HC IV

By Senfuka Samuel

Despite recruitment of medical officers none of the only two health centre IVs in Lira district, northern Uganda conducts cesarean sections, uterine rupture repairs and blood transfusion services to save lives of women who face obstetric complications. "We feel demotivated because we are redundant. The theater is well equipped but we cannot do our work because it needs urgent renovations to avoid any infection contraction during operations. My colleague is contemplating of leaving" Dr. Richard Okello, Senior Medical Officer Ogur HC IV, Erute North.

In response to Dr. Richard's frustration, the Ogur Sub county Chief Ms Toli Eunice said that: "This health facility assessment of emergency obstetric and newborn care services by White Ribbon Alliance has been an eye opener to us because we have not been taking emergency care services as a key priority. When we got a doctor we only thought of renovating his house but now we are also going to prioritize the theater in 2014/15 financial year"

Community members, health-workers and leaders conducting a health facility assessment of the
facility at Aromo health centre

White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood Uganda is coordinating an accountability campaign code-named "Act Now To Save Mothers" aimed at advocating to the Government of Uganda to uphold its commitment to ensure that comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care increases in health centres IV from 17% to 50 % and the basic emergency obstetric and newborn care services are availalbe in all health centres by 2015. WRA Uganda is conducting a health facility assessment of EmONC together with community members and district health office and leaders in Kabale, Lira and Mityana to generate evidence for requesting sufficient funds in 2014/15 financial year so that local governments deliver these life saving services.

Surgical bed @Ogur HC IV

Theater building @Ogur HC IV which
requires urgent renovation

Inside the theater @Ogur HC IV