Karamoja ’s Mothers and Children Reap the Benefits of Health Systems Investments

June 22, 2017A remote region of Uganda sees dramatic improvements in health services and outcomes.Jane Atim smiles and smooths the skirt of her crisp blue uniform as she ushers us into the maternity ward, excited to share what the night brought.Morning light warms the walls of the room where Veronica Munges, 19, swaddles her healthy six-pound baby —a boy, named Tatelo. Jane shows Veronica, a first-time mother, how to breastfeed before turning to the two other women who gave birth overnight—Clara, 37, and Paulina, 34. The first day of life is the riskiest of all for infants and mothers, especially here in Uganda ’s Karamoja region. This vast area is home to a rural, mostly pastoral population of 1.2 million that suffers from high rates of poverty, fertility, and food insecurity.UNICEF called it the worst place to be a child.In 2008,UNICEF called it the worst place to be a child. One hundred children under the age of five died every week, mostly from preventable diseases, and17% of children would not live to their fifth birthday. Six years ago, only27% of women in Karamoja delivered in health facilities and the regional maternal mortality rate was 750 per 100,000 live births —among the highest in the world.The region has lagged behind national progress in improving health care and outcomes, but the joyful scene that morning was not a fluke.Last year,73% of Karamoja ’s mothers delivered in health facilities, and medical officers say the maternal mortality rate has sha...

Source: IntraHealth International - June 22, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: lfreeze Source Type: news