Female Legislators under Uganda Women Parliamentary Association –UWOPA have fears over the alleged commercialization of surgical delivery of mothers by health facilities which has escalated maternal mortality.
This was contained in a petition from the Uganda Women’s Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) presented to parliament by UWOPA chairperson Sarah Opendi.
According to the Uganda Women’s Parliamentary Association –UWOPA, maternal mortality rates in Uganda have increased recently to 336 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. They have attributed it to the government’s omission to adequately provide basic maternal health care services in public health facilities which violates the right to health.
While presenting the petition to parliament today, Sarah Opendi the UWOPA chairperson disclosed that some medical workers are fond of forcing women to go for Cesarean section even when they can afford natural birth because of commercial gains.
Opendi’s revelation was confirmed by several other legislators who confessed that surgical births are on the rise in their constituencies because pregnant mothers are not given a chance to deliver naturally by medical workers who want to make money out of them.
Legislators decried the arrogance of health workers in maternal wards. They called for setting up dedicated hotlines where women in labor can report all cases of corruption and negligence at health facilities.
The debate shifted from the Ministry of Health and MPs pressured the government to consider adequate budgeting for the health sector. Lawmakers tasked the government to equip health centers with basic supplies.
Parliament adopted the petition with a strong call to the Ministry of Health to fix gaps in maternal health services.
