By Joseph Wasswa
The country was awakened by the unfortunate death of a mother in Mityana Hospital having bled out (Post-partum Hemorrhage) due lack of a blood giving set at the hospital.
This is one of the many causes of maternal mortalities that have robbed us of our mothers leading to the observed high maternal mortality ratio (MMR). Most maternal deaths occur due to the poor quality of care.
This must be an embarrassment to all stake holders in maternal health as we have all along been requesting mothers (accompanied by their husbands) to use health centres to be attended to by qualified health professionals, in which case that is what this couple did! The condition (PPH) that killed this mother is among the top two main causes of high MMR in Uganda.
Therefore, it was a grave oversight by the workers to admit the mother without ensuring that every item of the required comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care (CEmONC) package was available given that this was a hospital, as trained health professionals what was their plan in case this emergence (PPH) occurred having started the delivery process without this very significant item knowing how fast PPH can kill a mother!
Equally, the other greatest concerns remain availability and affordability of essential medicines on a sustainable basis, currently a responsibility of National Medical Stores (NMS).
View External Link