Kalangala records zero maternal deaths as six-year h

KALANGALA - Kalangala District has recorded a remarkable improvement in maternal and reproductive health, with nine high-volume public health facilities reporting zero maternal deaths by June 26, 2026, marking a significant achievement after these facilities registered 67 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020. The milestone follows six years of interventions under the Heroes for Gender Transformative Action programme, implemented by a consortium comprising Amref Health Africa Uganda, Cordaid and Mifumi, with funding from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Uganda and the Embassy of Iceland. The programme supported nine of the district's 16 community health facilities, including Kalangala Health Centre IV, Bukasa Health Centre IV, Bukasa Health Centre III, Mazinga Health Centre III, Bufumira Health Centre III, Bwendero Health Centre III, Mugoye Health Centre III, Kakyanga Health Centre II, Mulabana Health Centre II and Kasekulo Health Centre II. Speaking during the programme's close-out event at the district headquarters, the Kalangala cluster coordinator, Dr Amos Wambete, attributed the progress to strengthened health systems, improved referral services, community mobilisation and closer collaboration between Village Health Teams and health facilities. He said the interventions had increased awareness about the importance of early antenatal care, while regular outreaches to remote island communities enabled more pregnant women to access health services. The proportion of mothers attending their first antenatal visit during the first trimester rose from 75% in 2020 to 76% this year. More significantly, health facility deliveries among women attending antenatal care increased from 44% to 55%, reflecting growing public confidence in maternity services. Dr Wambete noted that although the district has registered fewer pregnancies, largely due to migration within fishing communities and increased family planning uptake, more women are now choosing to deliver in health facilities instead of at home or with traditional birth attendants. He also reported improvements in fourth antenatal care attendance, which increased from 77% to 78% despite the World Health Organisation's recommendation for eight antenatal visits and referrals of high-risk pregnancies outside the district. Teenage pregnancies also declined from 15% to 12% over the six-year period, a change he attributed to improved access to comprehensive sexuality education, youth-friendly services and stronger family planning programmes. Family planning uptake increased from 63% to 77% following sustained community sensitisation, increased male involvement, improved contraceptive availability and strengthened counselling services. Dr Amos Wambete, the Kalangala cluster coordinator for the Heroes for Gender Transformative Action Program addressing during the programme's close-out event at the district headquarters recently. (Credit: Lawrence Mulondo)