Clare N
Officials in Bundibugyo District have attributed the rising cases of fetal complications and deaths to delays by pregnant women in seeking antenatal care, as well as late referrals from lower health facilities.
In an interview with Jubilee Radio, Rev. Sr. Eveline Bamwikiriize, Senior Nursing Officer at Busaru Health Centre IV a non government facility, revealed that the facility has recently faced increased challenges related to mothers delaying to attend antenatal services and late referrals from sister health centers.
This she said, has contributed to increased infant mortality and has placed mothers’ lives at significant risk.
According to Sr. Eveline, some mothers have lost their uterus due to late reporting to health facilities and in such cases, by the time they reach the hospital, the uterus has already ruptured, leaving health workers with no option but to remove it.
She urged mothers in Bundibugyo District to act promptly, especially when they notice a lack of critical staff at nearby health centers, and to seek advice or care from other facilities without delay.
Sr. Eveline, also highlighted the use of herbal remedies as another contributing factor to severe complications like postpartum hemorrhage. She explained that some mothers use herbs or traditional practices that can lead to complications during childbirth, putting both the mother and the baby at high risk.
She encouraged mothers to prioritize seeking care from equipped health facilities with skilled personnel and called upon lower health centers to make timely referrals in order to save lives.
Meanwhile, a mother who identified herself only as Jane from Nyahuka, Bundibugyo told Jubilee Radio that in some health centers, expectant mothers often do not find staff available, and even after waiting for long hours, they are sometimes asked to return the following day. By the time they are examined and referred, it may already be too late.
Jane appealed to health workers to respond more urgently to emergencies, saying that improved service delivery would encourage more mothers to attend antenatal care and utilize health facilities.
However, the ministry of Health in 2025 reported a decline in still birth rates to around 11per 1000 births with high rates registered in Bunyoro, Acholi and Busoga regions.