Pre-eclampsia

A persistent threat to maternal health in Uganda

Kampala, Uganda | PATRICIA AKANKWATSA | A shadow lingers over childbirth in Uganda. It’s named pre-eclampsia – a pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure that remains the second leading cause of maternal mortality.

This preventable condition, affecting up to 16% of Ugandan mothers according to health experts, demands focused efforts to improve early detection, access to care, and public awareness.

Dr. Emmanuel Byaruhanga, Executive Director of Kawempe National Referral Hospital, emphasises the urgency of addressing this critical issue.

“Pre-eclampsia is a silent but deadly condition that can have devastating consequences for both mothers and babies,” Dr. Byaruhanga warns.

“Early detection and intervention are essential for preventing serious health risks,”

Pre-eclampsia typically develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy, often with no obvious symptoms. However, it can silently wreak havoc on a woman’s body, damaging organs and restricting blood flow to the developing baby.

Dr Byaruhanga says that early identification through regular prenatal care, including routine blood pressure monitoring and urine protein checks, is crucial for effective management.

“Timely intervention can prevent complications for both mother and baby, including premature birth, low birth weight, organ failure, and even death.”

Despite the availability of effective treatments like medication and, in severe cases, early delivery, Ugandan women often face challenges in accessing timely and adequate healthcare. Limited availability of well-equipped prenatal care facilities, particularly in remote rural areas, can significantly delay diagnosis and increase the risk of severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia which is a severe complication of preeclampsia in which a woman has new onset of seizures.

Dr Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, on May 13 launched a 10-day campaign spotlighting the growing threat of pre-eclampsia.

“Pre-eclampsia isn’t just a Ugandan challenge. Globally, it’s estimated to be responsible for 16% of all maternal deaths during pregnancy or childbirth, translating to over 76,000 fatalities annually. Even more concerning are the repercussions for newborns, with pre-eclampsia linked to over half a million infant deaths each year,” she said at the event at Kawempe National Referral Hospital.

She said that the lack of public awareness about pre-eclampsia can prevent women from recognising the warning signs and seeking appropriate medical attention during pregnancy.

She called for a comprehensive approach to combat this persistent threat by strengthening healthcare worker training in pre-eclampsia identification and management protocols.

She also emphasised that the use of public education campaigns, delivered in local languages and utilising various channels, can empower women with knowledge about pre-eclampsia symptoms and the importance of seeking prenatal care throughout pregnancy.

“Pre-eclampsia cannot be dealt with until the patients themselves know what to do, come early, get treated early. Because by the time they come here normally, they come when they have complications of their kidney, their organs have started failing.”

She added that pre-eclampsia in Uganda requires a collaborative effort from healthcare professionals, policymakers, and communities.

“Emphasis should be put on the importance of early antenatal care given the critical need to detect complications early to mitigate the potential damage from high blood pressure which causes gross harm to both pregnancy and other vital organs such as the kidneys. Attention should also be put on the significance of robust family support, particularly from male partners.”