BY ABDALA MASEREKA
Kasese District Health Department has released a report indicating a rise in maternal and perinatal deaths in health facilities across the district, placing Kasese among the worst affected districts in Uganda.
The report was read today by the Kasese District Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response Officer, Dr. Herbert Nzeeke during the District Health Bi Integrated Performance Review Meeting that was held at Rwenzori International Hotel in Kasese Town.
According to the report, in the year 2024/2025, 22 mothers died while giving birth and more than 488 babies died shortly after birth in some health facilities within the district.
In the subsequent year 2025/2026, maternal deaths further increased to 26, while 189 newborns died after delivery.
Speaking about the findings, Dr. Nzeeke who is also the in-charge at Nyabirongo Health Centre IV in Kisinga Town Council, attributed many of the deaths to inadequate blood banks for transfusions and complications arising from hypertension among some expectant mothers.
He added that a significant number of newborn deaths are linked to premature births and severe infections among mothers.
Kasese District Health Officer, Dr. Amon Bwambale, noted that his office was planning to engage private health facilities in a meeting to streamline their operations and clearly define their limits in service provision since many health centre IIIs carry out the caesarean section illegally.
He also stressed the urgent need for a blood bank in Kasese, urging the residents to embrace the culture of blood donation to improve access to safe and enough blood for transfusions.
ENDS