The Government seeks media intervention in sensitizing Ugandans to control unplanned pregnancies, which is the main contributor to the existing maternal mortality cases in the country.

According to a report by the Makerere University’s School of Public Health released last year, unwanted pregnancies in Uganda stand at 46%, with adolescents being the most affected with about 62% girls getting unintended pregnancies.

According to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2024, at least 1.5m babies are born annually and 10% of the mothers mostly between the age of 15-19 die due to abortion complications.

Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, the Director Public Health in the Ministry of Health says that they are still witnessing mothers, mostly those with 1st time experience routinely not attending antenatal for 8 months though the Ministry is not worried since the no. of those delivering from health facilities is increasing.

Dr. Deogratious Migadde from the Health Ministry noted that they embarked on community education about safe motherhood and extending health services to villages after discovering that 15% of women are still delivering at traditional birth attendants.

This was during a media engagement ahead of the 4th National Safe Motherhood Conference, Awards and Expo that will be held on October 29th 2024 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala.

By Ben Musanje

25 Oct 2024

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