Suit challenging state of maternal health flops
Hearing of a petition challenging the state of maternal health in the country has failed to kick off as lawyers are ordered to submit written submissions.
In the petition the Center for Health Human Rights pins government for not putting in enough to accord Ugandan women proper maternal health and seek court orders that the budget allocations to health be structured for increment every financial year to allow betterment of the state of affairs.
The constitutional court could not hear the petition against government’s investment in the state of maternal health which has left many to die in labor did not kick off even after a long hours wait.
This was after the state representative requested that the after be adjourned.
The petitioners lawyer Peter Walubiri says, “The petition was called for hearing today unfortunately court had other matters to hear and when eventually our matter was called the state attorney representing government requested that we file written submissions because she was not feeling well”
The presiding panel of five judges led by Kenneth Kakuru, Geoffrey Kiryabwire, Elizabeth Musoke, Stephen Musoota and Cheborion Barishaki then adjourned the matter ordering parties to submit written submissions.
Walubiri explains that, “So we will file our written submissions within 14 days, the state respond within 21 days and we’ll make a rejoinder within seven.”
The center for health human rights and a number of families that have lost women at child birth dragged the government to the constitutional court saying it is not doing enough to accord women proper health services.
The petitioners contend that the government has not put enough human and material resources for maternal health, far too many women die, get complications during pregnancy and deliver because of inadequate provisions in the public health system.”
These want orders for budgetary increment to the health docket among others.
Walubiri says, “The petition wants government to be ordered to take remedial procedures to improve on the health care, budgetary allocation, health care and delivery systems for example recruit more health workers, stop persistent stock out of drugs and everything required by expectant mothers”
The justices also ruled that after all written submissions are made, the court will give a date when parties can return to court to orally clarify on their submissions.
This is because the matter is of public concern and the court found that it would be important that interested public members be allowed chance to understand what is taking place.
