Amolatar, Uganda | Maternal and newborn healthcare services in Amolatar District have received a major boost following the commissioning of life-saving medical equipment at Amolatar Health Centre IV under the Empowering Families, Growing Futures programme.
The equipment was handed over on Friday by Rotary Clubs serving Amolatar District in partnership with the Ministry of Health and district leadership. It forms part of a Rotary Foundation Global Grant being implemented by Rotary Clubs of Uganda alongside the Ministry of Health and technical partners to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare across beneficiary districts.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Moureen Kisakye, a biomedical engineer with NICOSAM Healthcare, said the equipment package includes baby cots, kangaroo mother care (KMC) chairs, radiant warmers, pulse oximeters, Warm Embrace infant warmers, newborn resuscitation kits, digital thermometers, Bubble CPAP machines and phototherapy machines.
She explained that NICOSAM Healthcare, the programme’s equipment partner, would oversee installation, commissioning, user training, and maintenance to ensure health workers are able to operate the equipment safely and effectively.
Amolatar District Vice Chairperson Margret Olul commended the Rotary Club of Kiwatule and its partners for supporting the district’s health sector. She urged health workers to properly manage and maintain the equipment to ensure it benefits mothers and newborns for many years.
Leading the Rotary delegation, Edward Nkanji stressed the importance of proper installation, routine maintenance, and immediate utilisation of the equipment to prevent deterioration before use. He also encouraged district leaders to establish a Rotary Club in Amolatar to attract more community development initiatives.
Kioga County Member of Parliament Collins Angwec applauded Rotary for selecting Amolatar Health Centre IV among many health facilities across the country. She described the intervention as an investment in the lives of the people of Amolatar rather than a mere donation, pledging to continue advocating for improved services in the district.
The legislator said she understood the challenges facing residents because of her close engagement with the community, adding that several organisations and individuals were complementing government efforts. She cited the acquisition of two ambulances for Kioga County as part of ongoing efforts to improve healthcare access.
Representatives from the Ministry of Health, district leadership and Rotary reaffirmed their commitment to improving the quality of maternal and newborn healthcare and ensuring every mother and baby has access to safe and quality services.
The commissioning builds on earlier achievements under the programme, including the training of 27 health workers in Comprehensive In-Service Newborn Care and Essential Newborn Care, as well as baseline assessments conducted to guide implementation and measure impact.
Hosted by Rotary District 9213, the Empowering Families, Growing Futures programme is being implemented by Rotary Clubs of Uganda in partnership with the Ministry of Health and technical partners.