Saving Lives at Birth; Maternal Health in Uganda

In Uganda, it is very common for people to have many children as it is often an important aspect of local culture. With an average of over six children per woman, the current rate of births is rapidly increasing. Although the number of births in Uganda is rising, approximately 16 women die giving birth every day. As the population growth rates climb, it is Shanti’s goal to provide a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment for mothers to birth their babies.

With the assistance and care of six registered Ugandan Midwives, one Traditional Birth Attendant and a Lab Technician, 15-20 babies are born at Shanti each month. These women are highly valued at the Birth House as their training is exceptional and uncommon. In Uganda, only 38% of midwives are fully qualified which often results in an inability to deal with complicated births. We are so grateful to have trained and experienced midwives at Shanti who are able to facilitate the following excellent services:

• An onsite laboratory for pregnant mothers, as well as their partners, testing and treating HIV/AIDS and STIs
• Full antenatal care services (Prenatal counselling, educational workshops, weekly prenatal yoga classes, and nutrition and agriculture workshops)
• Labour services in a private, home like setting with access to our emergency vehicle should complications arise
• Full postnatal care services (onsite infant immunizations and family planning counseling and methods)
• Monthly continuing education workshops for midwives and Traditional Birth Attendants

These services are valued by our clients as transportation, privacy, safety and education are limited in many Ugandan health care facilities.

It is with great pleasure that we share with you our progress wiithin the maternal health project. It is with your support and interest in this project, that we have been able expand our services and provide excellent women centered care.

Since 2010…

• The number of clients tested for HIV has grown nearly 5 times!
• The number of our admissions has increased from 32 people per year, to over 200 people per year!
• There have been a total of 868 live births!
• There have been 2,182 postnatal visits!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for supporting our maternal health project. It is with your continuous help that we have been able to greatly progress over the years, providing a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment for mothers to birth their babies.

Links:

• Learn more about us on our website.