The Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, has called for the scaling of health services to the most vulnerable people in the communities.
Oulanyah made the call during the launch of Marie Stopes hospital and Maternity at Forest Mall, which he officiated, the hospital will provide maternity, family planning, medical consultation services and general medical services to the public in the country.
Oulanyah cautioned institutions like Marie Stopes to shift focus onto the people who can not afford services like these in order to continue saving lives, and the legacy of transformation.
“I caution institutions and others to shift focus onto the people who can not afford services like these so that we help continue saving lives and continue the legacy of transformation,” Oulanyah said.
The speaker also urged all hospitals institutions to ensure that they continue following up on children even after they are born so as to ensure they are ready to be handed over to schools to continue their progress through youth.
“I urge all institutions like this to ensure they continue following up on children even after they are born so as to ensure they are ready to be handed over to schools to continue their progress through youth. We like the partnership with Marie Stopes because our focus as Parliament is Social-Economic transformation, something that they have proved to achieve overtime,” he said
Oulanyah further advised institutions to shift the focus and passion in doing what is right without expecting anything in return.
“The biggest thing is the focus and passion to do what you do right and Marie Stopes has the compassion to do all they do without expecting anything in return. All organisations that work like Marie Stopes should have a definitive path of where to start and where to end which I am sure will help the nation as a whole go forward,” he said.
Oulanyah revealed that as Parliament, they are focused at Social-Economic transformation, something that they have proved to achieve overtime.
Speaking at the same event, Dr. Charles Olaro, the Director Health Services-Ministry of Health said that Uganda has made progress in improving maternal health largely due to improvement in health facilities, increased antenatal services and skilled personnel plus investment in health.
“This is a landmark development for Marie Stopes in partnership and working with Ministry of Health. Uganda has made progress in improving maternal health largely due to improvement in health facilities, increased antenatal services and skilled personnel plus investment in health,” Olaro said.
Dr Olaro noted that as a ministry, they have embarked on upgrading over 300 facilities and for now 200 of them are complete and 50 are in process.
He added, “As we continue trying to reduce the maternal deaths, it gives us pleasure to launch a hospital like this. The commonest death of mothers is bleeding and looking at what Marie Stopes is offering, I am optimistic that we are on the right path as a nation to curbing those fatalities.”
Dr. Carole Sekimpi, the Marie Stopes Country Director said by the end of 2020, 1.8 million Ugandans were using a method of family planning provided by Marie Stopes, and 30 per cent of the demand was satisfied by Marie Stopes, which averted 2100 maternal deaths.
“By the end of 2020, 1.8 million Ugandans were using a method of Family Planning provided by Marie Stops. 30% of the demand of Family planning was satisfied by Marie Stopes and as a result, 2100 maternal deaths were averted and although that sounds massive, we are not yet there because our vision is bold and we are committed to further extend access to high quality sexual and reproductive health services through three access pillars which include; Leaving no one behind, strengthening the private sector and planned-powered SRHR,” Dr Sekimpi said
She added, “This facility adds to our country wide footprint and exemplifies the commitment of Marie Stopes to serve Uganda through a more holistic approach through SRHR and meeting the needs of all women. The launch is also timely as it coincides with the Ministry of Health in celebration of the Safe Motherhood day. We also take this opportunity to thank the government for the support they have rendered towards us thought the time we have been here.”