Stanbic Bank Uganda Recognized for Safe Motherhood Initiatives
In a recent accolade, Stanbic Bank Uganda has received the “Outstanding Contribution to Safe Motherhood-Alternative Health Financing” award at the 3rd National Safe-Motherhood Conference, which took place in Kampala during the middle of the week. Organized by the Ministry of Health, this two-day conference revolved around the theme of “Reach every mother; Reach every newborn.”
The conference brought together participants from across Uganda and beyond to deliberate on ways to enhance family planning, maternal and child health indicators. The focus was on strategically strengthening the performance of health workers at all levels of healthcare delivery.
Stanbic Bank’s Commitment to Safe Motherhood
Stanbic Bank, the flagship subsidiary of Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited, was duly recognized for its significant financial investment of UGX 6 billion over the past five years into corporate social initiatives, with a specific focus on maternal and newborn care. These funds have been instrumental in purchasing and distributing essential medical equipment and mama kits to over 30 healthcare facilities nationwide.
Under the leadership of its Chief Executive, Anne Juuko, the bank collaborated with the Ministry of Health to establish the Corporate Society for Safe Motherhood. This partnership encourages corporate entities to contribute to maternal healthcare. Presently, Stanbic Bank leads the Safe Motherhood Fund, mobilizing resources to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare services, thereby making a substantial impact on Uganda’s healthcare landscape.
Diana Ondoga, the Stanbic Manager of Corporate Social Investment (CSI), expressed her gratitude for the award, emphasizing the positive outcomes resulting from their collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the National Safe Motherhood Committee. She stressed the importance of working collectively with other organizations, including Uganda Breweries-Spirited Women, MTN Uganda, URSB, Movit, and UCC, to eliminate preventable maternal and neonatal deaths in the country.
Advancing Safe Motherhood with Corporate Partnerships
Through the Corporate Society For Safe Motherhood, Stanbic Bank envisions that the entire nation can significantly contribute to the Safe Motherhood Fund. This innovative financing model aims to meet the maternal healthcare needs within the country.
Bank of Uganda, also recognized at the conference for its efforts, is another member of the Corporate Society for Safe Motherhood. They provided essential medical equipment to 11 healthcare facilities across the nation, with total investments of UGX 5.5 billion over the past four years.
Progress in Reducing Maternal and Neonatal Mortality
Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, noted the decrease in Uganda’s Maternal Mortality Rate from 108 to 90 per 100,000 live births. The Neonatal Mortality Rate has also reduced from 27 to 18 per 1,000 live births. This improvement is attributed to increased access to maternal health services.
Efforts made over the last five years include the expansion of health center IIIs (HCIIIs) to 411 facilities, with 380 upgrading from HC IIs and 31 being entirely new facilities. Additionally, 10 HC IVs were upgraded from HCIIIs.
The conference aimed to disseminate best practices, foster shared learning among frontline health workers and safe motherhood leaders, and address challenges in reaching every mother and newborn. It also sought to assess the impact of existing family planning investments on maternal and newborn health, and their implications for health and economic outcomes.
As Uganda continues to focus on improving maternal and newborn care, collaboration between public and private entities like Stanbic Bank and Bank of Uganda is a crucial step towards achieving safer motherhood and better health outcomes for the nation.
