24th November 2008. The First Lady of Uganda Hon Janet Museveni launched Uganda’s Roadmap to accelerate reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity calling on all partners and stakeholders to play their role in its implementation. The launch took place during the commemoration of the Safe Motherhood Day for 2008 held in Buwama, Mpigi district.

Mrs Museveni challenged the Ministry of Health and stakeholders to work hard guided by the Road Map to urgently realize significant reduction in maternal and newborn mortality in a short period of time. She emphasized that no woman should needlessly die in Uganda due to maternal and child birth complications because all the knowledge, tools and skills to save their lives are available. She particularly called for effective action and impact at community level because that is where the bulk of maternal and neonatal deaths occur. Turning to women, Mrs Museveni told them to always save money to assist them when need arises especially during pregnancy and child birth. She gave herself as an example while in exile in Tanzania in the 1970s where she managed to save money that assisted her during the birth of her children in the absence of her husband who was then involved in the struggle to liberate the country. She thus recommended that women engage in income-generating activities with the support of their spouses to be able to save some money for them to be able to afford the various costs involved in pregnancy and child birth. 

Mrs Museveni also strongly recommended to all women to always deliver their children in health facilities under the supervision of skilled health workers. This, she added will go along way in saving many women who die in the community due to conditions that can be ably handled in health facilities. 

Mrs Museveni praised the role played by the Mpigi district Village Health Teams (VHTs) under the able leadership and the guidance of the District Health Officer to deliver health services in the communities. She asked them to be even more vigilant and mobilize communities for child and maternal health as specified in the Road Map. 

Speaking on the same occasion, the Minister of State for Health (General Duties) Hon Richard Nduhura pledged the ministry’s readiness to implement the road map with support from health development partners and other stakeholders. He added that if the road map is implemented as recommended a lot will be achieved in the area of safe mother hood. 

Hon Nduhura said that the ministry will do all within its power, resources and mandate to expand the concept of VHTs to all districts in the country so that they contribute to health care as in Mpigi district. He promised the ministry’s support to the VHTs to enable them perform even better emphasizing that commitment and dedication to hard work are central to success. 

The WHO Representative Dr Joaquim Saweka who spoke on behalf of the UN agencies working on reproductive health said that the UN through WHO, UNFPA and UNICEF will do whatever is possible to support the people and the Government of Uganda to improve reproductive health. “We will continue to give assistance on skills improvement for health workers, equipment, reproductive commodities and supplies, transport and communication as well as community mobilization and empowerment for reproductive health” he said. 

Dr Saweka hoped that other partners, individuals and NGOs will also do what needs to be done to reduce maternal and newborn ill health and death in Uganda noting that this commitment is important for the present and future generations. He emphasized that women are very important ingredient in human, social and economic development of nations adding that “we need to guarantee their health as a basic necessity and an important human right, which is within our means.” 

On the Road Map, Dr Saweka said that it outlines excellent strategies that Uganda should implement to achieve reduction in maternal and child mortality through a multi-sectoral response. “We are most pleased to see it launched today and we urge all stakeholders to play their rightful role in the implementation of this roadmap”, he noted. 

During the commemoration, health promotion messages were delivered through several channels including speeches, music, dance, drama and radio. There were exhibition stalls on which health materials and information were disseminated as well as health services such as HIV counseling and testing. 

The function was attended by Members of Parliament, national and district politicians, dignitaries from several bilateral and multilateral organizations, NGO, school children and the general public.