Rotary equips Namayumba Health Centre IV with neonatal care unit

What the report says

More than 40 Rotary clubs have donated maternal and neonatal equipment to Namayumba Health Centre IV in Wakiso District, according to Nile Post, in a move aimed at improving care for premature babies and other mothers and newborns at the facility. The handover marks a significant boost for the health centre, which staff said had long operated without a dedicated unit for specialized neonatal care.

The donated items include incubators, radiant warmers, phototherapy machines, baby cots, Kangaroo Mother Care chairs, delivery beds and other support equipment. Medical Superintendent Dr Abubaker Mukiibi said the centre handles thousands of patients each month, including hundreds of expectant mothers, and that the new supplies should improve service quality and newborn survival. He also noted that the facility still needs more infrastructure to keep up with demand.

Rotary clubs along the Masaka Road corridor, including Mengo, Lungujja, Nateete and Nsangi, were part of the partnership. Rotary leaders said the donation fits into a wider maternal and child health effort that supports health facilities and trains health workers across Uganda. Wakiso district officials welcomed the equipment and said they would monitor its use and maintenance.

The report also said the health centre still faces other gaps, including the need for an ambulance, a mortuary and more medicines. Beyond this donation, the story highlights the broader challenge of strengthening neonatal care in Uganda, where equipment, trained staff and basic hospital infrastructure all affect outcomes for vulnerable newborns.