Uganda Telecom (UTL) donated medical equipment worth 21 million shillings to Mbaraara Health Center, in Hoima district to fight against maternal deaths.
Due to lack of basic necessities in the maternity ward at the hospital, many expectant mothers are referred to Hoima Referral Hospital which is 30km away from the health center, for maternity care.
In partnership with Rotaract Club, UTL donated equipment to use in the ward.
These included delivery beds, delivery sets, ward screens, ambulance bags, weighing scales, sterilizers, chairs, plastic-usable, hospital benches, mattresses, blood pressure aneroid adult and child cuff, theater boots, mosquito nets, to mention but a few.
The UTL Chief Commercial Officer Mr. Naidu Shailendra, said this Uganda Telecom U-can Initiative is under their corporate social Responsibility (CSR) umbrella body, which aims at giving back to the communities in Uganda.
“Promoting good health in our communities is one of Uganda Telecom U-Can Initiative’s core areas of focus because healthy lives lead to a healthy economy,” he said.
He added that the company is focused on promoting access to effective and lasting health solutions in Uganda.
The Uganda 2013 State of the World Mothers’ Report, in Uganda indicates that 6,000 mothers die every year during pregnancy and child birth making the country one of the 50 worst places to be born in the world.
Further notes that up to 15,100 babies die on the first day of birth in Uganda compared to 3,400 in Rwanda – the best place to be born in East Africa.