By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
About 6,000 women and adolescent girls in Uganda die every year from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. For every woman or girl who dies, an estimated 20 or 30 suffer injuries, infections or life-long disabilities including obstetric fistula, a 2023 study by UNFPA indicates.
Although the study indicates a reduction of 336 per 100, 000 birthrl deaths in 2016 from 418 per 100, 000 in 2014, Janet Tukamushaba, a graduate of Certificate of Nursing and Midwifery at Kampala International University’s 28th Graduation ceremony says there is still a long journey to go to end maternal deaths in Uganda.
To ensure that pregnant women and their babies have a chance of a healthy life, Tukamushaba suggests that the government should strengthen health systems and training more health workers, in particular nurses and midwives to ensure improved delivery care and access to essential and life-saving maternal health services to pregnant women and their babies.
“Mostly, we have challenges like mothers dying in labor wards because we don’t have enough equipments to use while we are taking care of them.” she said.
Janet Tukamushaba | @jayshaldon , a graduate of Certificate in Nursing and Midwifery at #KIU28thGrad wants government to equip health facilities with more equipments and train more nurses and midwives to reduce on the number of mothers and children dying in labor. @kiuvarsity pic.twitter.com/YnFpFIvTjV
— Parrots UG (@parrotsug) November 25, 2023
“I urge the government to give us a lot of equipments and train more nurses and midwives so that we have the best care for mothers and their babies,” added Tukamushaba.
The young and determined midwife urged practicing nurses and midwives to use their calling for saving the lives of mothers and their children rather than prioritizing working for a pay.
“As a midwife, I know the life of a mother and the baby depends on me. So, I need to try so hard to ensure that I have a safe mother and a safe child,” said Tukamushaba. “I call upon my fellow nurses and midwives to really love what they are doing because when you love what you are doing, it comes with alot of ease.”
She said that Nursing and Midwifery unlike other professions is a vocation and therefore they (professionals) should do it with passion of saving lives.
A total number of 1,862 students graduated today at KIU 28th Graduation ceremony at the university main campus Kansanga. They included 54.5% male graduates and 46.5% female graduates. Tukamushaba was among them. These graduated with Certificates , Diplomas, Bachelors and Post Graduate Degrees like PGD, Masters and PhD in different courses.
