Maternity Ward Commissioned at Semuto Health Centre IV

Expectant mothers in Semuto Town Council, Nakaseke District, have been cautioned against seeking antenatal care from Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs). 

This warning was issued by Rosemary Byabashaija, the Nakaseke Resident District Commissioner (RDC), during the commissioning of a maternity ward at Semuto Health Center IV. Byabashaija acknowledged that while TBAs have historically supported pregnant women, it is essential for them to seek professional care available at health facilities.

Construction of the facility cost 30 million shillings and will accommodate more than 20 beds representing the district’s commitment to enhancing healthcare access and improving maternal and infant health.

This is not the first time that leaders have discouraged expectant mothers from seeking antenatal care from TBAs. 

For instance, in 2021, Rt. Rev. Paul Ssemogerere, the then Bishop of Kasana-Luweero Catholic Diocese noted with concern the persistent maternal deaths in Uganda despite the presence of health facilities with a fully-fledged staff. 

He argued that although the TBAs sometimes help deliver the mothers without any incidents, sometimes they fail because of serious complications and by the time the TBAs think of referring them to health facilities; it’s already too late thus leading to unnecessary deaths.

Bishop Ssemogerere subsequently asked expectant mothers to refrain from playing with their lives by going to TBAs and making use of the health facilities for antenatal care. He also asked medics in the facilities to always be professional to bring zero maternal deaths.