In Uganda, coronavirus is killing women and their babies. Not directly through infections, but through its catastrophic impact on health services. Health workers are getting sick, facilities are closed, and women are scared to access services. As a result, women and their babies are not getting the critical support they need, when they need it.
The charity has been working to limit the impact of coronavirus on women and children in Oyam District, Uganda, by training women’s health group leaders (PLA facilitators) and facility- and community-based health workers (VHTs).
Dorcus, a new mother living in Oyam, tells us more. Here, she shares her story about the fear she felt in getting a safe delivery at her local health centre, and how the charity and its partner Doctors with Africa CUAMM have been helping:
Women and Children First has just received a new grant from Comic Relief to expand these activities. The new funding will help to keep health workers safe, get services open and encourage women to attend.
This is particularly important at a time when over 5,500 cases have been confirmed in Uganda. The new grant will support:
Running training courses for facility- and community-based health workers. These will include guidance on isolating and monitoring patients at home, and further training on infection prevention and control.
Providing supervision to community-based health workers. This will focus on ensuring prevention measures are in place, and checking they know how to recognise and respond to coronavirus symptoms.
Purchasing of additional personal protective equipment (PPE), including 13,000 surgical and N095 masks for facility-based health workers in all healthcare units in the district.
Buying 22 megaphones for community-based health workers, to facilitate clear communication on Covid-19 prevention measures, debunking of false information and encouragement of pregnant women and others with health issues to continue seeking professional care.
Helping support fuel and maintenance of vehicles, which are crucial for purchasing and delivering PPE, supporting training and spreading vital information to the most remote communities in the district.
Through this grant health workers will be able to continue delivering vital services and women will be encouraged to access them. This grant will save lives.
Please donate if you want to join Comic Relief in supporting this vital work. Thank you!