By Patience Ampaire
Reports in Lyantonde district indicate that there is an increased case of pregnant mothers giving birth through traditional birth attendants, something that has triggered a sensitization program in the district.
The district leaders and health workers in conjunction with the Infectious Disease Institute (IDI) team came up with the campaign to sensitize the public on the importance of giving birth in hospitals and the use of immunization for infants.
Dr Nkanika Moses the District Health Officer (DHO) Lyantonde district says that a number of pregnant mothers who seek help from traditional birth attendants face a couple of consequences compared to those using health facilities. He highlighted some of the reasons why pregnant mothers do so; like long distances where someone finds it nearer to go to traditional birth attendants than health centers, and the perception of pregnant mothers that they are mishandled at health centers which he termed myths.
Dr Moses advised pregnant mothers to always start antenatal as soon as they get to know that they are pregnant. ”Much as traditional birth attendants deliver some cases, we also get very bad cases from them. They always give transfers when the uterus is very weak, which results in much bleeding or even sometimes death,” said Dr Moses.
The good thing with the health facilities we have trained nurses, and they know when to transfer and once one is transferred she is managed at the appropriate referred place. He added. “I encourage you pregnant mothers to continue delivering in health facilities that are gazetted by the government of Uganda.”
On the issue of immunization, Dr Nkanika said that parents fail to take their children for immunization due to myths, cultural briefs, and misconceptions; “immunization is the proven way of preventing diseases.”
”In the past, polio was a big problem and up to now some people are lame in the communities due to polio, but this is decreasing because of immunization.”
The health worker said other diseases that they immunize include measles, pneumonia, cough, and yellow fever.
Dr Moses also cautioned health workers against charging patients to offer services like immunization, warning that this is against the law.
In the meeting that was held at Lyantonde hospital boardroom on July 7th 2023, district leaders suggested giving name tags to every staff such that a patient can easily identify the person who is charging for a service.
Dr Moses believes the above will have an impact, ”After reading the name of the staff charging you, call the numbers that are listed on the hospital walls and we see how to deal with that person. Don’t give money to health workers, it’s illegal and both the giver and the receiver are doing a wrong thing.”
Nakabogo Rose, a Village Health Team (VHT) official emphasized the need for immunization urging parents to take their children for immunization especially girls of 10 years and above to prevent cervical cancer.
Milo Edward a resident in Lyantonde district who attended this sensitization meeting, revealed that many pregnant mothers opt to give birth using traditional birth attendants because of the good care they receive from them contrary to what is happening in health facilities.
”Most of our trained nurses have no care for our patients, a pregnant lady comes in with pain but instead of consoling her, she is barked at by these same people you see as professional health workers. We need to change that trend, otherwise, people will continue using traditional means,” said Milo.
Due to misinformation, Milo said that parents have failed to take their children for immunization, a need for the government to push more sensitization campaigns targeting the local wanainchis.
Sister Nakayiwa Margret, the HIV focal person Lyantonde district said that it’s a duty of every parent to immunize children and the services are free of charge. She also tipped mothers to take their infants for immunization before 24 hours elapse after birth.
”Vaccines are normal and safe through the Ministry of Health. Every child has a right to be immunized whether the parent wants it or not, you share this child with the government,” said Nakayiwa.
She commended the good work of journalists and advised the public to always communicate through them in case they are mishandled by health workers.
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