Uganda will on Monday commemorate the safe motherhood 2016.
According to the state minister for primary health care Hon. Dr. Joyce Kaducu, the day will be commemorated under the theme; “Expand opportunities for Adolescent health services, End Maternal Mortality.”
Hon. Kaducu told the press in Kampala today, that the day will be celebrated in Mukono and a number of activities will take place.
These include; provision of reproductive health information and services including fistula, HIV screening and testing, family planning services, blood screening among others.
There will also be film vans in Mukono district to create awareness on benefits of preventing teenage pregnancy and safe motherhood concerns including fistula.
Currently in Uganda, the Maternal Mortality Ration is 438 per 100,000 live births and infant mortality rate is estimated to be 45 per 1,000 live births.
The minister also explained that in Uganda, 24% of girls aged 15-19 (one in four) are already mothers or pregnant with their first child. This implies that 1 in 4 girls are pregnant or mothers.
Research indicates that adolescent girls are more likely to suffer complications like obstructed labour because their bodies are not physiologically mature and ready to handle childbirth.
“Government is committed to ensuring that the quality of maternal health services is improved. As a ministry, we are undertaking some interventions such as training service providers and peer educators to prevent and control adolescent pregnancies.
