FORT PORTAL, October 24, 2023 – Rwenzori Sub-region now stands a better chance to handle maternal health. This is after Stanbic Bank Uganda donated some equipment to Fort Portal Referral Hospital.
According to Dr. Alex Adaku, the hospital’s director, it serves districts of Kabarole, Kasese, Bundibugyo, Ntoroko, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Bunyangabu, Kamwenge, and Fort Portal City but it does not have enough equipment to handle the overwhelming number of expectant mothers who come to deliver from there.
“In a month, more than 1,000 mothers deliver from this facility which is very high compared to the space we have and the equipment we use. There is a need to take measures to ensure that mothers start utilising lower health facilities to avoid overcrowding at the referral hospital,” Adaku said.
Adaku added that the situation is worsened by the fact that Rwenzori Sub-region hosts two refugee settlements whose patients are referred to the hospital while some come by come to the hospital without being referred by the lower health units.
“I commend Stanbic Bank for thinking about us because maternal health has faced so many challenges. I also call upon other stakeholders to give a helping hand and support healthcare because government is trying its best but much more is still needed,” he said.
As part of corporate social responsibility, Stanbic Bank on Friday donated 100 mama kits, a delivery bed, a wheelchair, a trolley bed, a drip stand, an Omron machine, and 10 mattresses.
Head of Corporate Banking at Stanbic Bank, Paul Muganwa said the bank is committed to supporting maternal health in the Rwenzori Sub-region and the country at large to reduce maternal mortality rate.
“We have so far made an investment of Shs 300 million in the Rwenzori Sub-region through buying equipment donated to different health facilities in the region in 2023,” he said.
Muganwa noted that maternal health has been a challenge to the country but commended the government for the strides achieved in reducing maternal mortality rate.
He said the Bank’s donation is a small gesture of appreciation for what government is doing.
“We are aware of the significant challenges in maternal health, although progress has been made in reducing maternal mortality rate,” he noted.
The Fort Portal City Woman Member of Parliament, Irene Linda Mugisa commended Stanbic Bank for supporting maternal health.
“As leaders, maternal health is one of the components that we are promoting and sensitising women so that we can save the lives of mothers and their unborn babies,” she said.
She said most mothers are very poor and cannot afford to buy mama kits which she said have been running out of stock alongside some drugs that mothers need during and after delivery. Mama kit is a set of materials given to a mother to be utilised during the delivery process. The contents include sterile gloves, surgical blades, gauze, cotton, polyethane papers, ligatures, and baby soap.
The Tooro Kingdom youth minister, Patrick Kamulindwa called upon corporate companies and other organisations to support Fortal Portal Referral Hospital and other health facilities in Rwenzori Sub-region, saying this would improve the health of the residents.
Fort Portal Referral Hospital was elevated from a district hospital to a regional referral in 1996, marking a crucial milestone in expanding healthcare access in the region.
However, over the years, the facility has grappled with challenges associated with a deficient referral system and drug stock-outs.
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