By KT Reporter
Ninety percent of women in Katakwi District seek antenatal care without their husbands, a trend that has raised concern among health authorities. Dr. Simon Ichumar Omeke, District Health Officer (DHO), emphasized that men are missing critical opportunities to support their wives and benefit from free health services such as blood pressure, diabetes, and prostate cancer screenings.
Dr. Omeke urged men to accompany their wives to antenatal visits, highlighting that men’s involvement improves both maternal and child health outcomes. He also cautioned men against extramarital affairs during pregnancy and breastfeeding, noting that sexually transmitted infections—especially urinary tract infections—can increase the risk of miscarriage.
Women, he stressed, should consistently attend antenatal care, which allows for early detection and management of potential complications, encourages healthy behaviors, and provides vital support throughout pregnancy. “Antenatal care enables healthcare providers to identify gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and infections early, allowing timely intervention,” he said. “It also gives pregnant women guidance on nutrition, healthy lifestyles, and recognizing warning signs during pregnancy and childbirth.”
Dr. Omeke added that antenatal care protects both mother and baby by screening for infections such as STIs, HIV, and malaria. It also supports birth preparedness and emergency readiness by helping women and their families plan for labor and potential complications. For unborn children, early detection and management of maternal health issues reduces the risk of complications and plays a key role in preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission.
Dr. Omeke emphasized that antenatal care is essential for healthier pregnancies, safer deliveries, and improved outcomes for both mother and child.
Meanwhile, Dr. Omeke called on employers and the Ministry of Health to extend paternity leave, noting that women workers currently receive three weeks of maternal leave while men are only allotted four days to support their wives. He proposed that this period be extended to ensure men can adequately assist their partners during maternity.
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