The Shs730m ward is expected to boost maternal health in Kyotera

Expectant mothers in Kyebe and neighboring communities in Kyotera district have a reason to smile with the Shs732m first modern maternity hospital nearing completion, officials said.

Its construction was prompted by the Konge Lukuli Rotary Club, with support from the Rotary Club of Albert Park Australia and Randers Sondre Denmark, in an attempt to address the rampant cases of pregnant mothers dying on the way to hospital or at the hands of traditional birth attendants ( TBA -hate).

Francis Kizza, the Kyebe County Chairman, said once the facility is completed, it could reduce referrals from the health center, saving mothers from numerous challenges, including transportation expenses.

“When referring to the mothers here, many of them have to use boats. Once, we even recorded a mother giving birth on a boat. The boat fare is high and most mothers cannot afford it,” explained Kizza.

He added: “Maternal delays in labor increase the risks associated with labour. Some mothers who opt for boda bodas face additional costs because our health center does not have an ambulance, forcing mothers to travel to Kakuuto, which is about 40 km from here.”

Kizza noted that the health center serves 26 parishes, with more than 30,000 people, including mothers, who have access to healthcare there.

The maternity ward is expected to be completed in December this year and will include a delivery room, a maternity recovery room, a baby nursery and a midwife station.

Mrs Vicky Nante, a mother from Mirigye village in Kyebe sub-county, shared her appreciation for the new project at Health Center III, saying she almost lost her sixth child on the boda boda to Kakuuto.

She explains that her sixth pregnancy almost ended in tragedy when she suffered complications during labor and was sent to Kakuuto, 45 km away, for a C-section.

“The health center had no ambulance to take me to Kakuuto at night and it took me two hours to raise Shs30,000 for a boda boda to take me there,” Ms Nante explained.

Fortunately, she made it safely and delivered her baby without complications, despite the bumpy and flooded road.

“I hope the new maternity hospital will provide adequate medical care so more mothers and babies have a chance at life,” she said. monitored Wednesday.

While overseeing construction in Kyotera District yesterday, Rotary Club President Joyce Nakalembe said Shs183 million ($50,000) had been invested so far. However, they still need Shs551 million to complete the facility and equip it with essential machines and medicines.

“Reports indicated a high mortality rate of children and cases of women contracting diseases due to being treated by non-professionals,” Nakalembe said.

She added: “The state-of-the-art maternity ward will have solar-powered lighting, oxygen concentrators and essential medicines. This comprehensive approach will significantly reduce maternal and child mortality in Kyebe and nearby sub-counties.”

Ms Nakalembe said the maternity ward would provide life-saving interventions including emergency caesarean sections, newborn care and antenatal services, urging well-wishers to join their fundraising efforts to improve healthcare for mothers in the area.

During the same visit, Mr. Michael Sandor, a Rotarian from Randers Søndre, Denmark, said that when they visited the Kyebe Health Center, they were surprised by the poor state of maternity and heard reports of mothers calling in large numbers to TBA. .

Research by the WHO shows that globally in 2015, 303,000 women died from pregnancy-related causes. 2.7 million babies died in the first 28 days of life and 2.6 million children were stillborn.