The Rotary Club of Kabale City has conducted a five-day training programme on essential newborn care for health workers as part of efforts to reduce newborn deaths, particularly among premature babies.
The training, which started on Monday and concluded on Friday, brought together nine midwives from Kabale, Rubanda and Rukiga districts, equipping them with skills to improve newborn care services at their respective health facilities.
The initiative is being implemented under the Empowering Families, Growing Futures Rotary Global Grant through Mama Toto Care Uganda, with support from the Ministry of Health.
The trained midwives are expected not only to improve care for newborns in their facilities but also to share the knowledge with fellow healthcare workers.
Speaking during the training, Agnes Kilikumweno, a National Trainer in Essential Newborn Care, said the programme had equipped participants with practical skills required to provide quality care for newborns and mentor other health workers.
"Complications among babies born with medical conditions remain a major challenge, contributing significantly to newborn deaths," Kilikumweno said.
Kabale District Health Officer Dr. Gilbert Mateka expressed concern over the high number of newborn deaths recorded in the district, saying more interventions are needed to improve survival rates.
"Uganda loses about 27 out of every 1,000 live births within the first days of life, while Kabale records a higher rate of 33 deaths per 1,000 live births," Dr. Mateka said.
He attributed the challenge to factors including shortages of skilled midwives and complications arising during childbirth, especially among mothers experiencing prolonged labour and exhaustion.
Former President of the Rotary Club of Kabale City Dr. Robert Mugarura commended health workers for their dedication, particularly those serving communities in hard-to-reach areas.
"The training will strengthen healthcare services and improve newborn care across the region," Dr. Mugarura said.
The current President of the Rotary Club of Kabale City, Dr. Paddy Mwesigye, pledged that the club will expand the programme to other districts across the Kigezi sub-region in an effort to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts by health partners to strengthen frontline healthcare capacity and reduce preventable newborn deaths through improved skills, early interventions and better-quality care.
