A newly donated ultrasound machine and other medical equipment are set to improve healthcare services for expectant mothers at Kasanje Health Centre III in Wakiso District, officials said.
‘The scanning machine is going to go a long way in offering good service to the people. We have been referring some of the expectant women to Entebbe Referral Hospital, yet there is a distance from here to Entebbe and you have to take a ferry,’ said Mr Adam Mbayi, the facility in-charge.
He received the equipment, valued at Shs 62 million ($16,700), from the Rotary Club of Kampala East and the Church of Latter Day Saints over the weekend.
‘Some mothers have been going to Mpigi Health Centre IV, about 11 kilometres away, but with the scanner now, we shall be able to observe whether the baby is safe or if there is a complication with the pregnancy,’ Mr Mbayi said.
The facility has faced challenges when expectant mothers arrive in labour with complications, often detected late due to the absence of scanning services, he added. Staff have been identified for training to operate the new equipment.
‘I am sure the one who is going to be helping us might not be coming every day, so we shall get two staff members trained so that from Monday to Friday, we put the machines to good use,’ Mr Mbayi said.
Mr Rodney Twagarukaho Bagamba, President of the Rotary Club of Kampala East, said the donation followed community outreach findings that mothers lacked essential maternal and child care support.
‘We found they barely had electricity or machinery, yet women were coming from different areas seeking support,’ he said. ‘There was a need for an ultrasound machine, a blood counter, foetal dopplers, and proper medical waste disposal. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints generously donated $18,000 worth of equipment for this project.’
Mr David Mutesasira, a counselor with the Church, said the contribution aims to reduce prenatal deaths, a persistent challenge in Uganda.
‘When approached, we provided funds through our humanitarian aid program to equip the health centre with the basics needed to support life and help mothers,’ he said.
Kasanje Town Council Mayor Jonathan Gayiira said the equipment will benefit residents across all 37 villages of the town council.
‘People were struggling, especially mothers needing scans. Many were forced to go to private facilities at high costs. This equipment will greatly improve local healthcare delivery,’ he said.