Iganga, (UG): At least 200 pregnant mothers in Bulamagi sub-county, Iganga district have benefited from mama kits and baby bathtubs donated to them by the area Woman MP Hon Kauma Sauda Alibaawo, as part of her campaign dubbed Alibaawo health campaign.
Alibaawo was on Thursday, December 21, responding to a call for support to pregnant mothers who have always faced difficulties during childbirth to access necessities like mama kits.
Through her initiative of ‘Alibaawo health campaign’, the MP gave out similar items to pregnant mothers in various sub-counties of Iganga District with the latest outreach conducted on Thursday at Bulamagi Health Centre III in Bulamagi Sub County.
Hon Kauma, who first toured the facility learnt from the administrators that many mothers don’t respond to antenatal services and some of them resort to seeking help from unprofessional attendants at delivery time.
“I have got information that some of you don’t value antenatal care, this is unfortunate and I call upon you to seek antenatal services. I advise you to deliver your babies in health centres with enough facilities like blood to avoid deaths at childbirth,” Hon Kauma said.
She was concerned with the increasing number of husbands who abandon their responsibilities by forsaking their wives at the point of seeking antenatal care. She also rallied them to always accompany their wives when seeking antenatal services saying it is vital and a sign of responsibility.
The in-charge Bulamagi Health Center III, Mr. Mutekanga Barack and the village chairperson Mr. Kiyemba Hakisam however expressed concern over the rising number of early pregnancies and child marriage in the area and requested the government through Hon Kauma to step up for the betterment of teenage girl who end up suffering after being impregnated.
“I want to report to you that many girls get pregnant but we’re trying hard to address the problem. Early pregnancy and child marriage are high according to our reports but we are partnering with leaders to end such,” Mr. Mutekanga said.
Mr Kiyemba said they have started a campaign as leaders of the area to end teenage pregnancies and child marriage by ensuring that all children are in schools to avoid school dropouts.
The administrators of Bulamagi Health Center III noted the challenges in running the facility which include a lack of staff quarters, dilapidated buildings, and insecurity given the absence of a wall fence, among others.
The chairperson managing committee for Bulamagi Health Center III, Mr. Lwigale David noted the need to secure the facility by fencing it and called upon support from relevant offices to improve the face of the health centre by setting up a youth corner and a facility store.
“The challenge we face here majorly is lack of a wall fence and we end up using the building we have to store some equipment and we currently lack a free store and a youth corner. For the case of security, we propose that the government should support us in fencing the facility to have reliable security,” Mr Lwigale said.
Some of the beneficiaries commended the woman representative for the package saying they have been having difficulties at childbirth.
“Some of us are poor and most health centers just sell mama kits to pregnant mothers yet our income is small. Yesterday I went somewhere for antenatal and they asked for 30k which I didn’t have but if God brings this opportunity then we’re appreciative,” they testified in union.
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