Health 23 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kigezi Grapples with Perinatal Deaths: Experts Urge Improved Health-Seeking Behaviors
A recent report reveals that 40% of perinatal deaths in the Kigezi sub-region occur within the first seven days of birth, prompting health officials to call for improved maternal health-seeking behaviors and incentives for facility deliveries. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/40-of-kigezi-perinatal-deaths-occur-within-seven-days-of-birth-5605632
Health experts in Uganda’s Kigezi sub-region are sounding the alarm over a high rate of perinatal and maternal deaths, with a significant portion of infant fatalities occurring shortly after birth. A Kigezi regional health sector performance review for the 2025/26 financial year documented 801 perinatal deaths, a figure that has spurred calls for greater engagement from pregnant mothers with health facilities.
Of particular concern is that 40% of these perinatal deaths happened within the critical first week of a newborn’s life. Health officials attribute this trend, along with 33 maternal deaths recorded in the same period, partly to delayed or absent antenatal care and a reluctance among some expectant mothers to deliver in health centers. Factors such as traditional beliefs, poverty, and negative perceptions of healthcare providers contribute to this challenge.
To combat this, health officials are advocating for incentives to encourage facility-based deliveries. These could include essential items like baby clothes or other necessities, which can help offset financial barriers for some mothers. The rugged terrain of the region also presents a logistical hurdle, making access to health facilities difficult for many.
Strategies to overcome these obstacles are being implemented across various districts. Kisoro District sees a 70% facility delivery rate, with positive interactions with health workers noted as a key motivator. Efforts in Rukiga District include expanding antenatal outreach programs and establishing a fuel-sharing system for ambulance referrals. In Rubanda District, a local Member of Parliament has initiated a project distributing basins to mothers who deliver at health facilities, aiming to promote safe motherhood practices.
These initiatives underscore a regional push to make healthcare more accessible and appealing, recognizing that while antenatal coverage can be high, translating that into increased facility deliveries requires a multifaceted approach. The goal is to ensure safer pregnancies and childbirths for mothers and newborns across Kigezi.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)