Maternal health statistics remain a shocking reminder of the un-filled need for accessible services

The Millennium Development Goals MDG are key statistical targets for Uganda. The progress is monitored through the UNDP and their December 2010 status report on MDG shows Uganda's progress.

"Uganda has made substantial progress towards achieving the MDGs, although more needs to be done if all are to be attained. With continued good policies, Uganda appears likely to achieve targets for Goals 1, 3, 6, 7 and 8, which respectively are to: eradicate extreme poverty; promote gender equality and empower women; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop a global partnership for development.

Uganda may also be able to achieve Goal 2 - achieve universal primary education – with greater effort to encourage children to complete primary education – and with improved policies, strengthened institutions, and additional funding, the country may be able to meet the target for hunger. However, progress towards Goals 4 and 5 – to reduce child mortality and to improve maternal health – is uncertain."

Maternal health - in June 2011 the UN Population Fund published a detailed report on the State of the World's Midwifery services UNFPA Report on Uganda - an extract of the summary for Uganda reads:

"At 33 million people, Uganda is one of the largest countries in Africa. Progress in poverty reduction has been
made in recent years, but insurgency in the northern part of the country has slowed it. Maternal mortality has
decreased from 670 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 430 in 2008, while institutional deliveries increased
from 26 per cent in 2003 to 42 percent in 2006. With 3,475 registered midwives and 6,226 enrolled midwives, the country shows a deficit of midwives in more than a third of government health facilities. Gaps are wider in rural settings and in lower level health facilities compared to referral ones"

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The government staffed facility that is 3 miles away by road is closed at night and at weekends for maternity services. If we are not supported to reduce the costs of access, then the community will not get the care they need.

If you would like to receive our list of needs, please contact us by e-mail at support@hcluganda.org

There are new reports on Uganda's struggling services each month (The New Vision, September). The good news that women are seeking maternal care services is offset by the realisation that many people cannot afford the fees to access the services and government sites still require the patient to bring items which take cash. [anecdotally, a rural birth attendant can be paid in food and other commodities].

At Hope Clinic Lukuli we want to mobilise as many pregnant women from the community to have an ANC check-up and access PMTCT for HIV. They can deliver with their solo midwife, but we can support them if they prefer. By ANC check ups we can help small, first time or young mothers and those with suspected twins to plan a hospital delivery. If they do choose us, our equipment and caring staff can safeguard mother and baby.