Save Pregnant Women from Malaria in Uganda

Summary

This is June – August quarterly activity and status report on “support Save 750 Pregnant women from malaria in Uganda” project in Kibuku district. The goal of the project is to contribute to the reduction of maternal mortality rates. The project is implemented in the district of Kibuku,” is reliant on financial support from donors under the GlobalGiving and Kagumu Community. KADO is grateful to all donors and the community for the support that contributed to the realisation of these quarterly results.  

Current status

Malaria is the leading cause of death in Uganda, accounting for over 27%. Maternal anaemia and placental parasitaenemia leads to low birth weight, which is an important contributor to infants’ mortality.

To save pregnant mothers from malaria, KADO

Distributes LLINs to the pregnant mothers, spray doom, and Health education at the facility during antenatal and immunisation days.  In addition, KADO provides  malaria treatment to pregnant mothers

 Achievements

In the last quarter, KADO managed to achieve the following results:-

1. A total of 175 pregnant mothers received Health education
2. Procured 113 medium long lasting insecticide treated mosquito nets and 113 mothers received a LLIN each
3. Monitored and evaluated a total of 175 mothers who received health education during the quarter and it were found out that 80% had adopted best Health practices during pregnancy.
4. Procured 113 doses of malaria drug for mothers
5. Procured malaria test kits from ministry of health and tested 223 pregnant mothers

Challenges

i)     Limited and untimely drug supply to Health facilities   

ii)   KADO is a donor dependent organisation, and realises little from its income generating activities to procure LLINS, spray doom and medical drugs and supplies.

Recommendations

i)             KADO requests all partners to raise support to enhance provision of malaria prevention services to the pregnant mothers to reduce on the maternal mortality rates and still birth.

Testimony from a Beneficiary

This testimony is from Barbara, a girl aged 19 years who conceived after her senior four. Whereas Uganda had Long Lasting Insecticide treated Nets (LLINs) mass distribution campaign last year, this programme did not cater for students in schools of which Barbara was among. Therefore she had no access to a LLIN and conceived immediately after school. Barbara was staying with the pregnancy without a mosquito net, spray doom or any knowledge and skills in malaria prevention. She   used to burn dry banana leaves and other tree leaves to generate smoke to chase mosquitoes, hence exposing her life to fire risks and other related health problems.  Barbara sought for health services at KADO Health facility. KADO therefore, gave her a LLIN; she is now free from mosquito bites and very grateful to KADO. This is a true story of what is happening to expectant mothers in Uganda today.

Links:

• www.kagumudevelopment.org