Contribution Towards Improving Maternal and Newborn Health in Uganda: WRA Uganda Gets Support for Namwezi Health Centre III

By Senfuka Samuel

WIMA Treasurer showing to community members and other guests some of the equipment donated as Ms Dorothy Mpiima, Woman MP Buikwe district witnesses.

Namwezi Health Centre III is found in Njeru Town Council, in the newly created district of Buikwe. It is 5km away from Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Jinja district. As part of the services offered by a health centre III, Namwezi also offers maternity services. According to Ms Ruth Nanziri the In-charge as well as a Clinical Officer, on average the facility manages 3 deliveries a day. Over 300 women come for antenatal care services a month (1^st visit and subsequent ones). It has two enrolled midwives and two enrolled nurses.

By WRA Uganda zoning, Namwezi health centre is found in Jinja region. WRA Uganda Secretariat staff members have been making regular visits to the region and working with Namwezi Health centre staff and community members and WRA members. Besides the common challenges faced by health centres in Uganda such as inadequate staffing, low pay for health workers, lack of staff housing, Namwezi also lacked essential medical equipment. For instance hospital recommended delivery; examination and resting beds. The available beds were nearly broken down. Among other equipment the health centre lacked was a Blood Pressure machine in light of the known fact that 6% of maternal deaths in Uganda are caused by eclampsia. This made it difficult for the health workers to detect such complications in early stages of pregnancy.

The centre’s undesirable situation drove WRA Uganda to approach Women’s International Maternity Aid (WIMA) and appealed for support to save the lives of women in Njeru through provision of life saving equipment. WIMA is a voluntary non-profit organization of Ugandan expatriate women dedicated to helping the people of Uganda improve and extend mother and child care facilities. Gladly WIMA honored WRA Uganda request and visited the centre to assess the situation and later informed WRA that the request was granted.

On 28^th October 2011 WRA Uganda in collaboration with its regional members, Namwezi health centre management, community and Town Council leaders as well as community members organized a function at Namwezi Health Centre to officially receive the support from WIMA. A team of WIMA members led by Ms Eleanor Bageine, Chairperson, Gorretie Bamwanga, Secretary and WIMA Treasurer officially handed over an assortment of equipment to the centre that included the following.

1. Delivery bed (1)

2. Ward Bed Adult (1)

3. Examination bed (1)

4. Mattress with cover (1)

5. Bed pan (1)

6. Wheel chair (1)

7. Oxygen Regulator (1)

8. Resuscitator (infant) (1)

9. Delivery Instrument set (1)

10. Stethoscope (1)

11. Stethoscope feotal wood (2)

12. Infusion Stand (2)

13. Screen with caster (1)

14. Blood Pressure Machine (1)

15. Weighing scale (Baby) (1)

16. Thermometer (1)

17. Autoclave /Sterilizer (1)

18. Waste bin (1)

19. Aprons (3)

Hon Dorothy Mpiima. Woman MP for Buikwe district also graced the occasion. She was moved by the support and also donated a generator for power back up. Mr. Majerani Luboyera, Njeru Town Council Deputy Clerk also donated a lap top to enhance record and data management for the centre.

We extend our great appreciation to the benevolent members of WIMA. There is no better way to Play your Part like WIMA did in seeing that NO woman dies while giving life!