Uganda joined the rest of the world in marking World Health Day on Monday, April 7, with national celebrations held at Baitambogwe Health Centre III in Mayuge District.
The event was held under the theme “Healthy Beginning, Hopeful Future,” but it also exposed a grim reality: the Busoga subregion is experiencing maternal and child mortality rates significantly above the national average.
According to Dr. Charles Olaro, acting director general of health services at the Ministry of Health, Busoga currently records 93 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, well above the national average of 82.
“Busoga exceeds the national average by nearly 10%, which is deeply concerning. Even child mortality is higher in this region—28 deaths per 1,000 live births compared to the national average of 22.
Teenage pregnancy rates are also disproportionately high,” said Dr Olaro.
He attributed the figures to several factors, including the continued reliance on traditional birth attendants, limited access to quality antenatal care, and the rising number of teenage pregnancies.
In response, the Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has rolled out a comprehensive maternal and child health initiative targeting five districts in Busoga: Mayuge, Bugiri, Iganga, Buyende, and Kamuli.
Under the initiative:
- Over 30 health facilities have been renovated
- New ambulances have been deployed
- Communities are being mobilized to reduce teenage pregnancies
- Health workers are receiving training to boost maternal, child, and adolescent health services
Dr. Mwinga Kasonde, WHO Representative in Uganda, emphasized the importance of pregnancy planning and attending at least eight antenatal visits.
“Antenatal care allows early detection of complications and guides mothers on safe delivery options. We are here in Busoga because this region has been prioritized for intervention due to its urgent needs,” she said.
Jihee Ahn, KOICA Country Director, reaffirmed Korea’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s health systems.
“In Korea, we say: ‘Once you lose your health, you lose everything.’ We will continue working with Uganda to ensure that no mother or child dies from preventable causes,” she said.
KOICA’s support spans six pillars of health system strengthening: service delivery, infrastructure, human resources, health information systems, financing, and governance.
As Uganda joined the global community in celebrating WHO’s 77th anniversary, the spotlight remained firmly on the health of mothers and children.
The day served as a reminder that a healthy beginning is indeed the foundation for a hopeful future—a message that resonates even more urgently in Busoga.