By KT Reporte
The Kasese District Health Department has released its annual health report showing a rise in maternal and perinatal deaths in health facilities the district.
The statistics place the district among the worst-affected areas in the country.
According to the report, in the financial year 2024/2025, 22 mothers died while giving birth and more than 488 babies died shortly after birth in health facilities within the district. In the subsequent financial year 2025/2026, maternal deaths further increased to 26, while 189 newborns died after delivery.
Speaking about the findings, Dr. Nzeeke Herbert, the in-charge of Nyabirongo Health Centre IV, attributed many of the deaths to lack of blood for transfusions and complications arising from high blood pressure in expectant mothers.
He added that a significant number of newborn deaths are linked to premature births and severe infections among mothers.
Dr. Nzeeke further expressed that as the district health department, they are going to establish a pool of funds to be able to facilitate ambulances that carry expectant mothers to hospitals to avoid delays in delivery that may cause death.
Kasese District Health Officer, Dr. Amoni Bwambale, said the district is moving to engage private health facilities in a meeting to streamline their operations and clearly define their limits in service provision since “many” health centre IIIs carry out the caesarean section illegally.
He also stressed the urgent need for a blood bank in Kasese but also he urged residents to embrace a culture of blood donation to improve access to safe and enough blood for transfusions.
Kasese LCV Chairperson, Muhindi Eliphaz Bukombi, warned that health centres that fail to comply with regulations and standards risk closure.
District leaders say the new report will guide interventions aimed at strengthening maternal and child health services, enforcing standards in both public and private facilities, and mobilizing communities to support safe motherhood initiatives.
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