The Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah has noted that extending health services closure to people will enhance social-economic transformation.
While officiating the launch of Marie Stopes Hospital and Maternity on Tuesday, he noted that it’s a relief when some burdens are lifted off the hands of the government and dealt with by various partners.
Oulanyah further said that due to Covid-19, teenage pregnancies in rural areas have shot up, and fewer mothers are attending antenatal health centers.
“Our focus now is social-economic transformation. It’s time for us to go down and do whatever we can do,” he said.
He noted that health services should be taken closer to multiple people who are vulnerable to uplift their lives and standards so that in the end, social-economic transformation takes place.
“Our social lives will shift from what they are to something better, and our social-economic status will also shift from what it is to a little higher. Then, we’ll say we have a legacy of transformation,” he said.
Marie Stopes Uganda’s Country Director, Dr. Carole Sekimpi expressed commitment to further expand access to high-quality sexual and reproductive health services through 3 access pillars; to leave no one behind, to strengthen the private sector and client planned Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights services (SRHR).
“Today we are thrilled to be launching the Marie Stopes hospital and SRHR. This hospital adds to our countrywide footprint and exemplifies the commitment of Marie stops to serve Ugandans through a more holistic approach to the SRHR, meeting the needs of women from menarche to menopause.”
Adding, “This launch is timely as we join hands with the ministry of health in the celebration of the safe motherhood day. We take this opportunity to appreciate the government of Uganda through the ministry of health who have supported us for the last 30 years,” she said.
Dr. Charles Olaro, Director Of Clinical Services at the Ministry of Health commended Marie Stopes for their significant contribution towards increasing access to health care for many Ugandans and long-term partnership with the Ministry of Health.
While Uganda has made progress in improving maternal and newborn outcomes, largely due to improved access to health facilities, increased antenatal care attendance, delivery with a skilled attendant, and other investments in the health sector, Dr. Olaro noted that the rate of decline in maternal and neonatal deaths has been slow.
“Thus, sector development goals and in the longer-term Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of 2030 will remain more of aspirations unless strategies to accelerate the progress are implemented,” he said.
He added that with a maternal mortality ratio of 336 deaths per 100,000 live births, approximately 15 pregnant women in Uganda continue to die every day from preventable causes that include; obstetric hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, sepsis, and unsafe abortion.
He said noted that in 2020, efforts were galvanized by various experts who engaged the Ministry of Health and its partners on this background to spearhead and support the development of specific interventions aimed at addressing the leading causes of maternal and perinatal mortality.
“The interventions include: Strengthening the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR); supporting health workforce capacity development in maternal and newborn health; supporting the review of clinical services standards and protocols; and conducting patient-centered operational research to inform clinical care and policy.”
Adding, “These interventions have since made a significant contribution to improving maternal and newborn health across the various regions of the country.”
