Ssekanyonyi maternity ward struggles under growing number of mothers

What the report says

Ssekanyonyi Health Centre IV in Mityana District is under growing strain as more expectant mothers travel there for delivery and postnatal care, according to Nile Post. The facility is serving around 90 to 100 deliveries a month, with midwife-in-charge Nansubuga Jamiah saying it handled 102 births in July alone. Despite that demand, the maternity ward has only two delivery beds and five postnatal beds, leaving staff to manage congestion with limited space and equipment.

The report says shortages extend beyond beds. Health workers are also dealing with too few staff members and an ambulance that is reportedly in poor mechanical condition, making referrals harder when mothers or newborns need more advanced care. The health centre also receives a high overall patient load of about 22,633 people each month, adding pressure across services. Officials said the burden is especially visible in maternity care, where several women may arrive at the same time.

Nile Post reported that the district’s maternal and newborn health challenges are broader than this one facility, noting that Mityana recorded neonatal deaths, stillbirths and maternal deaths in the previous financial year. While those figures cannot be tied to Ssekanyonyi alone, they highlight the importance of stronger maternity services. The Mityana Rotary Club has already donated some equipment, and District Health Officer Dr Vincent Kawooya said the district plans to add space at the centre. For nearby communities, the facility remains an important and accessible option, making expansion and staffing a priority.