Health 12 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Ultrasound Scans Revolutionizing Maternal Care in Acholi and Lango Regions
Ultrasound technology, combined with trained health workers and community outreach, is enabling early detection of pregnancy complications and boosting antenatal visits in northern Uganda's Acholi and Lango areas. Experts stress the need for strong referral systems alongside scans to maximize reductions in maternal and neonatal mortality. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/healthy-living/how-ultrasounds-are-saving-mothers-in-acholi-lango-5419524
In rural northern Uganda, particularly Acholi and Lango, maternal and newborn deaths remain a pressing issue, with the 2022 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey reporting 189 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and 22 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births.
Ultrasound scans are changing this landscape by offering early detection of risks like abnormal fetal positioning and low amniotic fluid, which were previously hard to spot in lower-level facilities.
At Ngai Health Centre III in Oyam District, mothers like Adie Dayana now receive precise pregnancy dating and reassurance about their baby’s health, easing fears and guiding care.
Facilities such as Gulu Regional Referral Hospital and Lira Regional Referral Hospital report smoother handling of complications, with midwives performing on-site scans even at night. Lira manages 600-800 deliveries monthly, including many caesareans.
Training over 40 health workers in ultrasound, emergency care, and neonatal resuscitation has extended these benefits to community levels, while digital tracking via DHIS-2 improves planning.
Community outreaches identify high-risk cases early, shifting traditional birth attendants to escort roles and raising institutional delivery rates above 70% in some districts. St. John XXIII Hospital Aber in Oyam has recorded no maternal deaths in recent quarters.
Male involvement is growing through dialogues, but challenges like equipment shortages, transport issues, and donor dependency persist, with neonatal deaths still needing attention.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)