KAMPALA, 6. December: Members of the Ugandan Parliament have attacked health minister Stephen Mallinga for downplaying the problem of maternal deaths (mødredødelighed) yet 16 mothers die everyday.
The MPs were on Tuesday debating a motion moved by Slyvia Ssinabulya (Mityana) urging the Government to improve maternal health in the country.
Dr Chris Baryomunsi (Kinkizi East) seconded the motion.
The motion stated that Uganda was one of the countries with a high maternal mortality rate of 505 deaths per 100.000 live births. The motion that was passed asked the Government to set up a maternal mortality control programme and make maternal death a notifiable condition by the law.
The MPS also asked the Government to ensure that the health ministry gets all facilities, strengthen the capacity of health workers and make a policy on unsafe abortions and increase the number of blood banks.
Ssinabulya said one in five maternal deaths arose from unsafe abortions. She said 44 per cent of the maternal deaths occurred among 15-24 year-old girls.
But Mallinga said infant and maternal mortality rates had reduced.
– In 1986 when the Government came into power, the maternal mortality was at 700 per 100.000 live births. Now it has fallen to 500 per 100.000 live births. The infant mortality has reduced, he noted.
Kilder: New Vision (Kampala) og The Push Journal
