The Gulu Deputy RDC, Cosmas James Okidi, has today, 13th May 2024, launched a campaign of door-to-door meetings with traditional birth attendants (TBAs) following guidance from the Ministry of Health banning TBA activities.
The action by the DRDC came following allegations against a TBA identified as Rose Opiro, aged 62, a resident of Oguru West Village, Oguru Parish, Pukony Sub County, accusing her of delaying in assisting a pregnant mother at her home, resulting in the death of the unborn baby upon arrival at Lacoo Hospital.
“I therefore direct you (TBAs) to immediately refer any pregnant woman who comes to you to nearby health facilities to be attended to by skilled/qualified personnel. Any act contrary to my directives shall attract reprimand/punitive measures,” said DRDC Cosmas while engaging TBAs.
“The government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, is committed to ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths by 2030. While we appreciate the historical role of TBAs in assisting pregnant mothers, their knowledge and skills cannot adequately identify and manage pregnancy-related complications, thus contributing to negative maternal and newborn health outcomes.
Traditional birth attendants should be repurposed as referral agents for mothers to deliver in health facilities, and those who insist and continue with the practice will be held liable for any poor outcome/maternal death arising from their actions,” said Cosmas James Okidi, the Deputy RDC, while engaging the TBAs in Pukony Sub County, Gulu District.
