Lack of basic clothing, including underwear and decent maternity wear, is discouraging some pregnant women in Bugiri District from attending antenatal care services, with local leaders warning that the situation is pushing vulnerable mothers towards Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs).
Local leaders and expectant mothers say poverty, fear of stigma and alleged mistreatment by some health workers are among the barriers preventing women from seeking care at health facilities.
Speaking on Thursday during the introduction of Early Years Count Uganda, a non-governmental organisation supporting maternal and child welfare, Bugiri District Secretary for Health and Education Ms Martha Namboozo said some women avoid antenatal clinics because they lack essential personal items required during pregnancy.
‘As leaders, we need to address this matter because many of these women are more comfortable seeking services from Traditional Birth Attendants. Some health workers laugh at them because of their poor dressing,’ Ms Namboozo said.
She said some expectant mothers feel embarrassed attending health facilities because they lack decent clothing, including underwear, while others have damaged or worn-out garments.
Ms Namboozo noted that the challenge is more pronounced among women in rural communities where household incomes are often prioritised for food, school fees and other basic needs, leaving items such as maternity wear and underwear unaffordable.
She added that limited support from spouses during pregnancy has worsened the situation for some women.
Ms Aisha Namukemo, a resident of Kayogera Village in Muterere Sub-county, said some expectant mothers avoid antenatal clinics due to fear of humiliation.
‘Sometimes we fear going for medical check-ups due to harassment by some health workers and because we lack some of the required items. However, we are grateful that the government occasionally provides mama kits,’ she said.
Ms Namukemo also cited long distances to health facilities as another challenge affecting access to maternal healthcare, urging authorities to extend antenatal services to lower-level health centres.
Another resident, Ms Hadijja Kagoya from Kimombasa Ward in Bugiri Municipality, appealed to the government to support vulnerable pregnant women.
‘Government should consider supporting pregnant women because many of them are abandoned by men after conception and are left to fend for themselves,’ she said.
The Bugiri District Vice Chairperson, Mr David Okelo Nalugada, pledged to present the concerns before the district council for discussion and possible action.
‘We are going to monitor health facilities across the district and come up with resolutions that will ensure our people benefit fully from government programmes,’ he said.
He also warned health workers against exploiting patients seeking medical services.
However, health workers defended antenatal procedures, saying physical examinations are necessary to monitor the health of both mothers and unborn children.
Ms Juliet Nafula, a midwife at Bugiri Hospital antenatal clinic, said health workers maintain privacy and confidentiality during examinations.
‘We therefore encourage all expectant mothers to come for antenatal services because they are offered free of charge,’ she said.
‘One of the major challenges we face is that many men are reluctant to accompany their wives for antenatal services, partly because they fear HIV testing,’ she added.
Nafula urged local leaders to intensify community sensitisation on the importance of early and regular antenatal visits, noting that low attendance remains a challenge in the district.
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