By: Ismael Kasooha
HOIMA
Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah has lauded midwives for their dedication in saving lives in the country.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to you the midwives for your dedication, compassion, and expertise in saving the lives of both the mothers and the unborn babies. You are the bedrock of our maternal and neonatal health services. You are the true champions who work tirelessly, often under immense pressure, to ensure safe deliveries and healthy beginnings. The Government of Uganda stands firmly with you,” said Nabbanja.
Nabbanja made the remarks while presiding over the International Day of the Midwives held at Boma grounds in Hoima City on Monday.
A group photo with midwives after the celebrations
“On this International Day of the Midwife, let us renew our collective commitment to empowering midwives, investing in their professional growth, and creating an enabling environment for them to thrive. By doing so, we will undoubtedly achieve our goals of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, and building a healthier and more prosperous Uganda for all,” she noted.
Nabbanja challenged everyone to take this opportunity to recommit that no mother dies giving life and every child is born into a system that guarantees their health and dignity.
This year’s commemoration was marked under the theme, “Midwives: critical in every crisis,” which resonates deeply with the realities we face, and it underscores the indispensable role midwives play in our nation’s health.
“Today, we acknowledge and celebrate the unwavering dedication and resilience of our midwives. You are the frontline heroes, the compassionate hands that bring new life into the world, often under the most challenging circumstances. You are the pillars of our maternal and neonatal health services, ensuring that mothers and their newborns receive the care they need, even amidst crises,” the premier noted.
She said that the Government of Uganda recognizes the critical importance of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity.
“While we have made progress, with the maternal mortality ratio reducing from approximately 336 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2016 to about 189 deaths per 100,000 live births according to the latest Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2022, and neonatal mortality decreasing from 27 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2016 to 22 deaths per 1,000 live births in the UDHS 2022, we know that more needs to be done,” she explained.
The UDHS 2022 also indicates that approximately 86% of births in Uganda are attended by skilled health personnel, a testament to the increasing reach of our midwives and other healthcare professionals.
However, she recognized that the remaining 14% still require our focused attention, particularly in underserved communities.
The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah talking to a retired midwife as she awarded the prizes at Boma grounds Hoima City
Nabbanja said that Midwives are central to achieving our national targets of further reducing these numbers significantly.
She said that the Government of Uganda appreciates Development partners and stakeholders for the tireless effort in supporting midwives in the provision of Sexual and Reproductive and maternal child Health services to all Ugandans.
“I am aware that with support from development partners like the Swedish Government, UNFPA supports Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education and Sports to build capacity of midwives through training, regulation and association. I am also aware that through UNFPA, the European Union is funding the Safe Birth Africa Project which is equipping midwives in the E-MOTIVE approach and use of new medicines like Carbetocin and Trinexamic Acid to prevent Postpartum hemorrhage, the leading cause of maternal mortality in Uganda. This capacity not only equips the midwives with knowledge and skills but also empowers them to provide quality services,” she noted.
Nabbanja assured the people of Hoima that government had heard their strong request for the establishment of a dedicated Maternal and Child Health Complex at the Hoima Regional Referral Hospital.
“I want to assure you that this request has been given serious consideration. We recognize the importance of a specialized facility to cater to the unique needs of mothers and children in this region, and we are committed to working towards making this a reality within our long-term health infrastructure development plans,” she said.
Nabbanja acknowledged the challenges faced in providing effective support supervision to lower health facilities from the Regional Referral Hospital due to transportation constraints.
“The Government will look into it to ensure that Regional Referral Hospitals are equipped with the necessary transport to facilitate regular and effective support supervision, enabling mentorship, capacity building, and improved quality of care at all levels.
Our commitment to strengthening the midwifery program is unwavering,” she assured.
The Premier said that the NRM government had put in place several measures to address challenges in the health sector.
“The Ministry of Health has been actively reviewing its Human Resource structure to address the persistent health workforce gaps across the country. This revised structure prioritizes the recruitment, deployment, and retention of critical cadres like midwives, ensuring a more equitable distribution of skilled personnel. We are committed to its full implementation to alleviate the staffing pressures you face,” she said.
Nabbanja noted that government recognizes the importance of ensuring that midwifery training programs meet international standards adding that this will not only enhance the quality of care provided but also create opportunities for our Ugandan midwives to be recognized and competitive at the international level.
“We are committed to working with training institutions and international bodies to align our curriculum and accreditation processes accordingly. We are also working to ensure that midwives are trained, equipped, and supported in their vital work,” she explained.
Nabbanja called upon all stakeholders — both public and private — to continue prioritizing midwifery education and creating safe working environments for the midwives.
She said that the Government values the role of the National Midwives Association in advocating for the profession and supporting the well-being of its members. We are committed to exploring how existing social programs can be extended to benefit the midwives’ association and its members, recognizing their unique challenges and contributions.
The Premier noted that the government is prioritizing the establishment and strengthening of health facilities in hard-to-reach areas to ensure that all Ugandans, regardless of their location, have access to essential maternal and newborn care services. This includes exploring innovative solutions and partnerships to overcome geographical barriers.
“The welfare of our healthcare workers is paramount. We will explore the feasibility of developing a health insurance scheme specifically tailored for midwives, recognizing the risks and demands of their profession,” Nabbanja said.
She assured the midwives that government recognizes the value of community-based midwifery care and will explore strategies to re-establish and strengthen domiciliary midwifery services, bringing essential care closer to women in their homes and communities, particularly for postnatal care and follow-up.
“However, we are also acutely aware of the persistent challenges that our dedicated midwives face. These include staffing shortages, limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, security concerns, and heavy workload with often inadequate compensation. As mentioned earlier, we are committed to addressing these comprehensively,” she said.
The State Minister for Public Service, Mary Grace Mugasa assured the midwives that her ministry is aware of the staffing gaps and the heavy workload they experience.
During the function long serving midwives were recognized and awarded with plaques and some cash prize for their contribution to the sector.
The World Health Organization representative assured the midwives that they will continue supporting them to deliver the much wanted services to the country.
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