Tororo, 22nd October 2014:- Uganda commemorated the Safe Motherhood Day with a series of activities under the theme, ‘Mobilizing men as Partners and champions in prevention of teenage pregnancy’. The national commemoration was held in Tororo district and presided over by the First Lady of Uganda and Minister of Karamoja, Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni.

 The First Lady said that men should be mobilized to support women as they become mothers. She wondered why giving birth had become an issue during a time when it shouldn't be. She said that men should be what they’re expected to be; household heads. “Leaving mothers on their own during the time of pregnancy up until delivery is where the problem is, even with a better health system”, she said.

 The First Lady also said that Village Health Teams (VHTs) should be mobilized to assist women. She said that government will continue to provide the necessary interventions to tackle maternal and child mortality but also implored the communities to help mothers.

 At the same function the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa committed the support of the UN to government to ensure safe motherhood. She thanked the First Lady for her involvement and said that Safe Motherhood is at the core of the UN to assist in development. “Maternal and Newborn health is important as the UN tries to deliver as one”, she said.

 The Minister of Health Hon. Sarah Opendi said that early pregnancies in girls were contributing greatly to maternal and child mortality. She said that early pregnancy contributed 28% of adolescent death and 26% of maternal mortality. She however noted that Family Planning would help to achieve reduction of Maternal Mortality.

The minister cautioned parents to look out for what their children get exposed to. She said that unchecked broadcasting of pornographic material in video halls, drug abuse and alcohol consumption are some of the things that perpetuate adolescent pregnancies and high rates of abortion.

 In a breakfast meeting that preceded the celebrations, different stakeholders, CSOs and health partners presented their findings and innovations. At this meeting the ‘State of the World’s Midwifery 2014; A Universal Pathway. A Woman’s right to Health’, report was launched by the Hon. Sarah Opendi. Important to note was the innovations that were being created to care for pregnant mothers and their unborn babies.

 According to WHO the risk of maternal death in Sub-Saharan Africa is very high at 1 in 38 compared to  the developed world where a woman's life time risk of dying during pregnancy and childbirth is 1 in 3700.  Increasing numbers of women are now seeking care during childbirth in health facilities and therefore it is important to ensure that quality of care provided is optimal.

 Millennium Development Goal 5 looks at improving Maternal health through, strengthening health systems, monitoring and evaluating the burden of maternal and newborn ill-health and advocating for investment in maternal and newborn health among other key working areas.

 According to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey, 2011, the maternal mortality rate among women age 15-49 years is 0.93 deaths per 1000 women-years of exposure. By five-year age groups, the maternal mortality rate is highest in women aged 35-39 years followed by those between the ages of 30-34.

Sexual and reproductive health among adolescents is a major concern in Uganda. Many adolescents are sexually active at an early age and premarital sex common among 15-19 years olds.