Mulago awards Midwives

By Francis Kagolo

Mulago Hospital has introduced monthly awards for midwives.

The head of the obstetrics and gynaecology department, Josephat Byamugisha, said the awards are intended to motivate midwives to offer quality services.

The programme was initiated and funded by the Midwives Empowered, a local NGO run by Pastor Martin Ssempa of Makerere University Community Church.

Mary Grace Akao, 37, on Friday won the inaugural award worth sh100,000 and a certificate.

Mulago has one of the busiest maternity wards, with about 30,000 deliveries every year.

“We are only 62 midwives. We earn sh280,000 per month, yet we are not given lunch,” said Rose Nakayiza, the in-charge of the maternity ward.

“A midwife can spend a day on duty without having lunch, yet there are several mothers to attend to.”

Several reports have indicated that many new-born babies die at the hospital, a problem attributed to the poor attitude of midwives towards mothers in labour.

Presenting the award, Byamugisha said: “We deliver between 60 and 80 mothers every day. Only a motivated team of midwives can handle such a high number of women.”

Ssempa urged the Government to invest more in improving the welfare of midwives and health workers.