LWENGO, UGANDA – Health officials have called on the Ministry of Health to implement stringent regulations for Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), citing their direct involvement in the nation’s rising maternal death toll.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The concern was raised during the Ugandan commemoration of the National Day to End Maternal Deaths from Excessive Bleeding at Lwego HC IV in Masaka, held under the theme “Ending Maternal Death due to Excessive Bleeding after Childbirth: Our Collective Responsibility.”
The event served as a platform to address a critical public health issue underscored by a disturbing statistic from the Ministry of Health’s 2024 report: haemorrhage accounts for a staggering 43% of all maternal deaths in the country.
The report further indicates that a significant number of these fatalities occur under the care of unregulated and unskilled TBAs.
In districts like Lwengo, a mere 17% of pregnant women seek timely medical assistance, leaving the vast majority vulnerable.
The 2025 Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) Campaign aims to drastically increase public awareness and mobilize a multi-sectoral response for the prevention and management of excessive bleeding after childbirth.
Dr. Richard Mugahi, the Commissioner for Reproductive Health, cautioned that while traditional birth attendants are trusted in some communities, they often lack the necessary medical training and equipment to handle childbirth complications.
He urged all expectant mothers to seek delivery services exclusively at hospitals and health centers, emphasizing the life-or-death difference in care.
“Hospitals provide access to skilled healthcare professionals, life-saving interventions, and a sterile environment that greatly reduces the risk of maternal and infant mortality,” Dr. Mugahi stated.
HRH Hajia Hauwa Ibrahim Adamu echoed the warning, identifying a dangerous trend where growing trust in traditional birth attendants over skilled health workers is fueling maternal mortality in communities.
The Commissioner of Nursing at the MOH, Sr. Agnes Baku Chandia, commended midwives for reducing absenteeism across the subregion but emphasized the importance of being actively engaged and fully committed at work.
She also underscored the critical need for continuous professional development, urging midwives to invest in their personal and professional growth to enhance the quality of maternal healthcare.
The Ministry of Health and its partners are unanimously advocating for skilled care at birth, ensuring the availability of essential medical supplies, and spurring community-wide action.
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