Clinton Initiative Gives Uganda Shs1.38Bn Boost for Maternal and Newborn Health

KAMPALA, Uganda — The Ministry of Health has received maternal and newborn health commodities and equipment worth UGX 1.38 billion (USD 376,861) from the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), in a donation funded by the UK government and the Beginnings Fund.

The support is intended to improve the availability and quality of essential maternal and newborn health services in Uganda, with a particular focus on addressing gaps in postpartum haemorrhage management, newborn care and resuscitation.

The equipment and commodities were officially handed over to the Ministry of Health at its headquarters in Kampala at a ceremony attended by representatives from the Ministry, CHAI, National Medical Stores, health facilities and other implementing partners.

Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi received the equipment and hailed CHAI for the contribution.

While addressing guests at the event, Dr Baryomunsi said the equipment and commodities will help strengthen interventions for postpartum haemorrhage, neonatal resuscitation and the care of small and sick newborns, alongside expanding hormonal IUD services.

Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi

Among the key items are 59,000 disposable calibrated obstetric drapes, which will enable health workers to measure blood loss objectively after childbirth rather than relying on visual estimates. The intervention is expected to help midwives identify excessive bleeding earlier and respond more quickly.

Equipment to strengthen newborn care

The donation includes a range of equipment intended to strengthen care for premature, low-birthweight and critically ill newborns.

The package comprises four continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, 73 syringe pumps, 25 radiant warmers, 15 phototherapy machines, 26 baby cots, 16 Augmented Infant Resuscitator (AIR) training devices and 136 basic newborn resuscitation kits.

It also includes 4,150 units of caffeine citrate in different formulations and 146 hormonal intrauterine device insertion and removal kits.
The commodities are intended to address priority gaps identified through national quantification exercises and maternal and newborn health facility assessments.

According to the Ministry, the supplies will support the management of postpartum haemorrhage, care for small and sick newborns, neonatal resuscitation and the expansion of hormonal intrauterine device services for child spacing.

Focus on postpartum haemorrhage

The calibrated obstetric drapes are expected to strengthen the implementation of the E-MOTIVE bundle, an approach that enables health workers to detect heavy bleeding early and begin recommended treatments promptly.

The Ministry draft notes that postpartum haemorrhage remains the leading cause of preventable maternal mortality, making early detection and treatment a critical component of maternal healthcare.

The newborn equipment will similarly strengthen the capacity of supported facilities to provide essential care to vulnerable newborns.

Caffeine citrate will support the management of premature babies who temporarily stop breathing, while CPAP machines will provide respiratory support to newborns experiencing breathing difficulties. Radiant warmers, phototherapy machines and syringe pumps will further support newborn care.

Greater Mubende among key beneficiaries

The equipment package will primarily support selected health facilities in the Greater Mubende Region, covering Mubende, Mityana, Kassanda, Kiboga and Kyankwanzi districts.

Additional equipment will be provided to selected facilities in Kakumiro, Kibaale and Kyegegwa, while caffeine citrate and some of the calibrated obstetric drapes will be distributed more broadly to national, regional referral and general hospitals across Uganda.

The 16 AIR training devices will be allocated to 16 selected hospitals and health centres in the Mubende Region to strengthen practical training and improve health workers’ competency in newborn resuscitation.

Beyond the donation

CHAI will work with the Ministry of Health to support clinical mentorship, equipment-user training and appropriate maintenance, with the aim of ensuring that the donated equipment is used effectively and sustainably.

The support is also intended to go beyond addressing immediate equipment shortages by reinforcing government systems for commodity planning, procurement, distribution and sustainable financing.

The Ministry said it remains committed to ensuring that women and newborns across Uganda receive timely, safe and high-quality care, while expressing appreciation to CHAI and its funding partners for supporting the effort.