Kampala, Uganda | NOW THEN DIGITAL — The Ministry of Health is taking a crucial step to aid women in the greater North and Bunyoro regions by earmarking over 4,000 mama kits for 40 constituencies. This effort has been made possible through a donation from the Parliamentary Forum on East African Community Affairs and Stanbic Bank Uganda.
Gladys Muchae, the Head of Credit, emphasized the significance of this initiative. It aims to ensure that all women in the country have access to necessary care during pregnancy and childbirth. They have established a partnership known as the Corporate Society for Safe Motherhood, urging other corporations to join hands in achieving SDG3’s objective of reducing the number of maternal deaths to 70 per 1000 live births by 2030.
During the handover of these kits, Hanifah Kawooya Bangirana, the Health State Minister in Charge of Primary Health Care, conveyed the country’s dedication to improving safe motherhood, stressing the urgency to tackle unacceptable maternal and infant mortality figures through collaborative partnerships.
Hon. Cyrus Aogon, a member of the Parliamentary Forum, praised the bank for its generosity and highlighted the role of corporate social responsibility in determining a bank’s return on investment.
Sarah Nansikombi Lubega, Head of Women’s Banking, underlined a critical issue – the preventable loss of many women during childbirth due to a lack of mama kits.
Recent data from the Uganda Health and Demographic Survey, released by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, shows a promising decline in the maternal mortality ratio from 336/100,000 live births in 2016 to 189/100,000 in 2022.
The State Minister for Health – General Duties, @HonAnifaKawooya flagged off distribution of 4000 mama kits from @stanbicug in collaboration with the Parliamentary Forum on East African Community Affairs (PEACA) to support elimination of preventable maternal and neonatal deaths. pic.twitter.com/c6NLQB1BKp
— Ministry of Health- Uganda (@MinofHealthUG) October 10, 2023