Elgon Records Progress in Fight Against Postpartum Haemorrhage

What the report says

Health authorities in Uganda’s Elgon region are reporting progress in reducing deaths linked to postpartum haemorrhage, a major cause of maternal mortality in the country. The update was presented on Monday at Kibuku Health Centre IV during World Postpartum Haemorrhage Day, where officials, development partners and maternal health advocates reviewed steps to improve prevention, treatment and referral for severe bleeding after childbirth.

According to figures shared at the event by Dr Peter Wanyela of Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, the Elgon region identified 838 women with postpartum haemorrhage in the 2025/26 financial year and recorded 11 deaths. Officials said this represented an improvement from the previous year. The response has included training more health workers, distributing non-pneumatic anti-shock garments to health facilities, and improving access to blood, intravenous fluids and essential medicines at facilities such as Kibuku Health Centre IV.

The Ministry of Health has also expanded use of heat-stable carbetocin, alongside oxytocin and tranexamic acid, to help prevent and manage excessive bleeding. Dr Richard Mugahi said health workers must act quickly because severe bleeding can become fatal within hours. The event also highlighted broader system needs, including stronger referral services, more midwives, completion of specialist infrastructure at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, and continued surveillance of maternal and newborn deaths.

The commemoration also marked the launch and signing of Uganda’s National Obstetric Haemorrhage Implementation Framework. In general terms, the framework is meant to support faster recognition, treatment and referral for obstetric emergencies, as Uganda continues efforts to reduce preventable maternal deaths.