Gomba, Uganda | ENTEBBENEWS.NET | Mothers and families seeking healthcare at Maddu Health Centre IV in central Uganda are set to benefit from new equipment, digital services and community health support.
The improvements at the facility in Gomba District include, medical equipment, beds, bicycles, smartphones and information and communications technology equipment.
Medical records officers have also been trained to use the Electronic Medical Records Information System (EMRIS), which is intended to make it easier for health workers to manage and access patient information.
The support was provided by MTN Uganda through its annual 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign, which this year is focused on maternal and newborn health.
For the neighbouring communities, one of the activities has been a community health camp offering screening, registration and health education.
Village Health Teams and community health workers have also received digital literacy training, while MTN’s mobile money business has provided financial literacy sessions.
A digital health platform, Zuri Health, has been introduced to help residents access healthcare information and referrals.
Phrase Lubega, managing director of MTN MoMo Uganda, said the focus was on strengthening services where communities first seek care.
“For mothers, newborns and families, quality healthcare begins at the facility closest to them. Through Y’ello Care, we are helping to strengthen the systems, skills and services that enable communities to access care in time,” he said.
He said technology could help families make better-informed decisions about their health.
“We want technology to strengthen healthcare delivery by improving access to information, supporting health workers and helping people make informed decisions about when and where to seek care,” he said.
For people living in rural communities, reaching health facilities can sometimes involve long distances and transport costs.
Uchenna Ezedinachi, chief of staff at Zuri Health, said digital healthcare services could help bridge some of those gaps.
“Distance should not prevent people from getting basic healthcare guidance. By combining our digital platform with MTN Uganda’s connectivity, we can bring trusted information closer to people and help them take action earlier,” she said.
Gomba District Health Officer Christine Kahunzire said the support would help the health centre serve the community more effectively.
“Effective healthcare delivery requires adequate infrastructure, reliable systems, trained personnel and communities that understand when and where to seek care,” she said.
The improvements form part of a wider MTN Uganda programme being implemented at four health facilities under the theme “Expand Equitable Health for Every Community.”
The interventions across the four facilities are valued at about UGX600 million.
The campaign has already reached Kibiito Health Centre IV in Bunyangabu District and Maddu Health Centre IV. It will next move to Kiyunga Health Centre IV in Luuka District and Karita Health Centre IV in Amudat District.
MTN Uganda says its latest intervention builds on more than a decade of support for maternal and newborn healthcare.
The company says it has invested more than Shs 7.5 billion in maternal and newborn health programmes over the past decade, supporting 36 health facilities across 49 districts and reaching more than one million beneficiaries.
The 21 Days of Y’ello Care programme is now in its 19th year and allows MTN employees across its markets to volunteer their time and skills in community initiatives.
The campaign will continue at Kiyunga and Karita health centres, with further support planned for maternal and newborn healthcare, digital literacy and community services.
The post Maddu Health Centre gets boost to maternal and newborn care appeared first on 1:.
