Mbale City, Uganda — The Bamasaba cultural institution has raised concern over the continued practice of traditional birth attendance and the increasing cases of teenage pregnancies, particularly among girls as young as 12 years, in Bududa and Namisindwa districts.
The concern was raised during a Ministry of Health mid-term review meeting held in Mbale City, where health officials presented findings on maternal health, teenage pregnancies and access to health services in the Bugisu sub-region.
Speaking during the two-day workshop, Hon. Stevenmasiga, spokesperson for the Bamasaba cultural institution, said the institution was concerned about the challenges highlighted in the health survey and pledged to mobilise communities to address them.
Masiga said the cultural institution would sensitise the Bamasaba community about the dangers associated with teenage pregnancies and unsafe practices by traditional birth attendants.
He said the institution was ready to work with government and other stakeholders to tackle teenage pregnancies in Bugisu, which he said remain a serious concern, particularly during periods of Imbalu celebrations.
“As a cultural institution, we are willing to work with all stakeholders to stamp out the challenges of teenage pregnancy in Bugisu,” Masiga said.
He pledged to take the findings of the health survey to the grassroots through the institution’s clan structures.
“As a cultural institution, we communicate to our people through clan leadership, and His Highness the Umukuka of Bamasaba, Jude Mike Mudoma, is particularly concerned with today’s findings, especially the disturbing maternal mortality rates, teenage pregnancies and other challenges affecting mothers,” he said.
Masiga also expressed concern about the continued existence of traditional birth attendants in some communities despite the expansion of government health facilities across Bugisu.
“We have been told that Bugisu still has some remnants of traditional birth attendants. We shall engage them as a cultural institution and guide them to renounce that practice, since Government has now established health centres across Bugisu,” he said.
He questioned how girls as young as 12 years could be becoming mothers.
“How can a 12-year-old become a mother in Bududa?” Masiga wondered.
According to health officials, some communities, particularly in Namisindwa, remain reluctant to seek formal health services, a situation that could contribute to poor maternal and child health outcomes.
During the meeting, Dr. Wanasolo, a planner at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, presented quarterly health statistics, while Dr. Peter Wanyera and the hospital’s Acting Hospital Director also participated in discussions on the region’s health situation.
The Bamasaba cultural institution said it would use its clan leadership structures to disseminate health messages and encourage communities to seek services from recognised health facilities.
The institution also pledged to continue working with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to address teenage pregnancy, maternal mortality and other health challenges affecting communities in Bugisu.
