Rotary District 9213 has flagged off a consignment of maternal and newborn care equipment worth approximately UGX 2.1 billion for distribution to 31 high-volume public health facilities across Uganda, marking a major milestone in efforts to improve maternal and newborn survival.

The equipment was officially flagged off at the Ministry of Health Headquarters under Rotary Global Grant GG2579290, a USD 551,000 initiative titled "Empowering Families, Growing Futures."

 

The ceremony was presided over by the State Minister for Primary Health Care, Hon. Dr. Charles Ayume, accompanied by the Commissioner for Maternal and Child Health, Dr. Richard Mugahi, Rotary District 9213 Governor Gerald Obai, Rotary leaders, representatives of implementing partner Mama Toto Care Uganda led by their Board Chair PDG John Magezi Ndamira, and other stakeholders.

 

The medical equipment was supplied by NICOSAM Health Care, which will also oversee installation and commissioning at the beneficiary health facilities.

The equipment will be distributed to 16 Health Centre IVs and 15 Health Centre IIIs located across 14 districts: Amolatar, Bugweri, Kabale, Kabarole, Kalungu, Kaliro, Masaka, Mbarara, Mityana, Mpigi, Rubanda, Rukiga, Wakiso and Isingiro.

The consignment includes essential equipment for maternal and newborn care, including:

Despite significant progress in improving maternal and child health, preventable maternal and newborn deaths remain a public health challenge in Uganda. The country records an estimated 189 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and approximately 22 newborn deaths per 1,000 live births, with many of these deaths resulting from preventable complications like Hemorrhage (accounting for roughly 34% of deaths), hypertension/pre-eclampsia, and sepsis during pregnancy, childbirth and the first month of life. Strengthening lower-level health facilities with lifesaving equipment and skilled health workers is a key priority of the Ministry of Health to improve survival outcomes for mothers and newborns.

 

The equipment forms part of a broader health systems strengthening initiative designed to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths by improving both the quality of care and the capacity of frontline health workers. 

 

 

 

In June 2026, 19 midwives from Bugweri and Kabale districts successfully completed Essential Newborn Care (ENC) Levels 1 and 2 training, equipping them with lifesaving skills to manage birth asphyxia, prematurity and other neonatal complications at facility level.

The project will next roll out Helping Mothers Survive (HMS) training, focusing on the prevention and management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, obstructed labour, and postpartum hemorrhage. Together, ENC and HMS constitute the World Health Organization's recommended frontline package for reducing maternal and newborn mortality.

 

Earlier, on 5 June 2026, the first cohort of nine health workers graduated from a month-long Comprehensive Newborn Care training programme at St. Francis Hospital Nsambya. In addition, at least one medical officer from each participating Health Centre IV will receive advanced clinical training to further strengthen specialist capacity within the project districts.

 

Speaking at the flag-off, Rotary District Governor Gerald Obai reaffirmed Rotary's commitment to supporting Uganda's health sector through sustainable partnerships.

 

The Ministry of Health welcomed the partnership, noting that strengthening lower-level health facilities with essential equipment and skilled health workers is critical to accelerating progress towards reducing maternal and newborn mortality.

"Empowering Families, Growing Futures" is being implemented in 14 districts by 45 Rotary and Rotaract Clubs under Rotary District 9213, in partnership with Mama Toto Care Uganda and with technical guidance from the Ministry of Health.

The project combines health worker training, clinical mentorship, quality improvement and medical equipment support to strengthen maternal and newborn care services in high-volume public health facilities.

Distribution of the equipment to all 31 facilities begins immediately following the flag-off. District Health Teams, working alongside Rotary and project partners, will oversee installation, staff orientation and post-delivery monitoring to ensure optimal utilization of the equipment.

Rotary brings together a global network of more than 1.2 million members across 45,000 Rotary clubs worldwide who volunteer their expertise, leadership and resources to address some of the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary members work to improve health, promote peace, support education, provide clean water and sanitation, protect the environment, strengthen local economies and create lasting change in communities around the world.

 

Media Contact: Rotary District 9213 Public Image Committee

Email: rotarypublicimage9213@gmail.com

Project Contact: Dr. Richard Kalungi - Program Manager, Mama Toto Care Uganda

 

 

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