KAMPALA — Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo on Monday visited Kawempe National Referral Hospital, where he toured neonatal wards and presided over the launch of the “Oxygen for Life” project spearheaded by Rotary District 9214.
Kawempe National Referral Hospital, located along the Kampala–Bombo Road, is a key maternal and child health facility that provides antenatal, delivery and specialized newborn care services.
The hospital was established in 2016 to decongest Mulago National Referral Hospital and has since become one of the busiest maternity facilities in the country.
Arezzo, who is on an official visit to Uganda, was accompanied by Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng and Rotary members from across the country.
During the visit, Arezzo commended Rotary members for their collaboration in supporting communities, particularly in healthcare.
“You stand with the frontline people every day. You are our heroes and essentials because there is no project without you,” he said while addressing health workers and Rotary members at the facility.
Under the Oxygen for Life initiative, Rotary will provide medical-grade oxygen equipment and beds to support the treatment of newborn babies with breathing complications.
Selected lower health centres will each receive two beds in a move aimed at easing pressure on Kawempe Hospital by strengthening neonatal care closer to communities.
Joan Pag Kantu, District 9214 flagship chair, said the intervention will improve survival outcomes for vulnerable infants.
“The medical-grade oxygen helps babies who are born prematurely or with any kind of difficulty to make sure that the babies are safe,” Kantu said.
Arezzo emphasized the importance of unity in service delivery, noting that the project was a collective effort.
“It was not one club but 47 clubs united to work together. And this is so important — to work together,” he said.
Minister Aceng praised Rotary’s continued partnership with the Ministry of Health, describing the initiative as timely and impactful.
“Oxygen for Life is extremely important so that every mother can walk home with a baby,” she said, adding that government remains focused on reducing maternal and newborn deaths through collaboration with development partners and community organizations.
Hospital Executive Director Dr Emmanuel Byaruhanga said the additional equipment would strengthen the hospital’s capacity to serve patients and help manage congestion.
“Equipment which I am happy you are donating to several lower units — it is one of the issues we have. We deliver about 60 mothers a day and 30 of those are C-sections. That means the equipment is engaged for 24 hours, so breakdown is expected,” he said.
Kawempe Hospital handles a high volume of deliveries daily, making neonatal equipment critical to continuous care.
Officials say investments in oxygen systems and maternity beds at lower-level facilities will help decentralize services and reduce strain on referral hospitals.
During the event, Arezzo also recognized several individuals for their outstanding service within Rotary.
Health officials maintain that while Kawempe Hospital continues to expand its capacity, demand for maternal and newborn services remains high.
Stakeholders say sustained partnerships and targeted investments will be key to improving outcomes and ensuring safer deliveries across the country.
