The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Mpigi, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A free medical camp organised at Bunjako landing site in Buwama sub-county, Mpigi district has attracted hundreds of teenage mothers bringing to fore, the problem of teenage pregnancies that has spread across the country.
The Maternal and Child Health Community outreach organised by the Rotary Club of Lugogo Mango Tree and Bunjako health centre III was targeting to give services to at least 200 mothers. However, it attracted more than 500 people, largely teenage mothers from the landing sites of Katebo, Ssenyondo and Misanvu, and Bunjako Island.
Eng. Ronald Kasozi, President of Rotary Club Lugogo Mango Tree, indicates that their needs assessment found that the targeted community had a huge gap in access to quality maternal healthcare services. On the basis of this, they chose to offer medical services and essential supplies that include mother delivery kits, sanitary wear, and nutritional supplements to the most vulnerable mothers and children.
Eng Kasozi adds that the high number of child mothers who were yearning for the services was shocking, adding that the surge is visible following a long holiday caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kasozi is concerned that the high rate of teenage pregnancies is going to affect the quality of life, worsen unemployment and increase poverty levels in the community. He called upon the government to roll out deliberate interventions that can help reverse the trend.
Dr Deus Masereka, the in-charge of Bunjako health centre attributes the high prevalence of teenage pregnancies and motherhood to the poor uptake of family planning services in the area. He explains that many young mothers are highly disadvantaged and can hardly afford essential supplies for their antenatal and postnatal periods.
Clemantine Ngabire and Fatuma Namujju, both residents of Ssenyondo landing site told Uganda Radio Network that they could not afford family planning services in their areas of locality. Ngabire indicates that services cost between 7,000 to 12,000 Shillings which many teenagers can’t easily afford yet they are sexually active.
*****
URN
