Doctors have raised concern over the continued deaths of women from pregnancy and childbirth complications that they say can be prevented or managed if health facilities are adequately equipped and staffed.
The Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Uganda says gaps in the capacity of lower-level health facilities are forcing large numbers of women to be referred to higher-level hospitals, potentially delaying access to critical care.
Professor Rogers Kajabwangu, the president of the association, says about 65 percent of women who deliver are referred from one health facility to another.
He says some of these referrals could be avoided if lower-level facilities had the necessary health workers, equipment and infrastructure to manage common obstetric emergencies.
The concern is being highlighted as obstetricians and gynaecologists prepare to discuss new evidence on maternal and child health at their annual meeting in Kampala.
The two-day Conference, scheduled for 24th September at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, under the Theme “Together for better sexual and Reproductive Health; Leveraging scientific innovation and research for quality care,” will host over 200 obstetric and gynaecological doctors from across the country.
Dr Onesmus Byamukama, an obstetrician at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, says ongoing research is examining some of the conditions that continue to put mothers and newborns at risk.
These include hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, birth injuries, sepsis, post-abortion complications and the causes of newborn deaths. Researchers are also studying vaccination during pregnancy and the uptake, side effects and safety of different family planning methods.
Byamukama says the research is intended to provide evidence that can improve prevention and management of these conditions.
The doctors say the challenge is not only identifying the causes of maternal deaths but ensuring that health facilities have the capacity to respond when complications occur.
Dr Bekson Tayebwa, the chairperson of the Western Chapter of the Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Uganda and medical director of Ruharo Mission Hospital, says postpartum bleeding remains one of the major problems contributing to maternal deaths.
He says this is particularly concerning because excessive bleeding after childbirth can be managed when women receive timely and appropriate treatment.
Tayebwa says advocacy by the association has contributed to improvements in the availability of some medicines used to manage severe maternal complications, including drugs for postpartum haemorrhage.
However, he says more needs to be done to ensure that women can access effective emergency care without having to travel from one facility to another.
The doctors will use their annual meeting to discuss measures for reducing maternal and newborn deaths, with particular attention to improving the quality of care at lower-level health facilities.
Byamukama says specialists will also discuss how evidence from ongoing research can be translated into changes in clinical practice.
The Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Uganda says strengthening services closer to communities could reduce delays in accessing care and improve the chances of survival for women and newborns experiencing complications-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
