Uganda; Rakai Mothers Opt Against Health Units
KAMPALA; 29 January: The Masaka district authorities in Uganda should be blamed for the increasing number of pregnant women opting for traditional birth attendants instead of going to health centres, Rakai LC5 chairman has said.
Vincent Semakula said many expectant mothers had refused to go to health units to deliver, as required by the health rules, and instead opted for traditional birth attendants who cannot handle complicated cases.
He was responding to a report by the district director of health services, Dr. Robert Mayanja, at the opening of the district integrated reproductive health meeting in Masaka on Wednesday.
The report revealed that Rakai had dropped from the sixth to the 12th position in the national health competition. Mayanja attributed the drop in ranking to the reduction in the number of women who go to health units to deliver their babies.
(Rakai er et område, hvor Danida har drevet et stort egnsudviklingsprojekt, red.)
Semakula revealed that the health department allowed training and authorisation of traditional birth attendants and gave them certificates to operate in their villages.
– This seduced the pregnant women to opt for them, thinking they give equivalent services to those in health centres, Semakula said.
Semakula also blamed the health workers for harassing pregnant women and talking ill about them when they go to the health units to give birth.
He said this was scaring the women away and causing them to opt for the traditional birth attendants, with whom they feel more comfortable.
– I have received many reports that your health personnel, especially the young nurses working in health centres, have continued to abuse the pregnant women who go there to deliver, Semakula told Mayanja.
He added that some women preferred the traditional birth attendants because they are usually more mature and inspire more confidence than the young, seemingly inexperienced nurses in health centres.
Semakula expressed worry over lack of grade two health centres in some remote areas. He said this has made it difficult for many people to access health services..
Semakula lamented that the shortage of these health centres would continue, as there were no funds to construct others.
Kilde: The Push Journal
