Lack of basic clothing, including underwear and decent maternity wear, is stopping some pregnant women in Bugiri District from attending antenatal care services.
Local leaders say the problem is pushing vulnerable expectant mothers towards Traditional Birth Attendants.
They say poverty, fear of stigma and alleged mistreatment by some health workers have made some women avoid health facilities.
The concerns were raised on Thursday during the introduction of Early Years Count Uganda, a non-governmental organisation that supports maternal and child welfare.
Leaders warn women are avoiding clinics
Bugiri District Secretary for Health and Education, Ms Martha Namboozo, said some expectant mothers stay away from antenatal clinics because they lack essential personal items.
“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 pregnant women feel embarrassed to go to health facilities because they lack decent clothing.
Others, she said, have damaged or worn-out garments, including underwear.
Ms Namboozo said the situation is worse in rural communities, where families often spend limited income on food, school fees and other basic needs.
She said maternity wear and underwear remain unaffordable for some vulnerable women.
She also said limited support from spouses during pregnancy has worsened the problem.
Mothers cite fear of humiliation
Ms Aisha Namukemo, a resident of Kayogera Village in Muterere Sub-county, said some expectant mothers fear humiliation at health facilities.
“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 said long distances to health facilities prevent some women from seeking care.
She urged authorities to extend antenatal services to lower-level health centres.
Ms Hadijja Kagoya, a resident of Kimombasa Ward in Bugiri Municipality, appealed to 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.
District leaders promise action
Bugiri District Vice Chairperson, Mr David Okelo Nalugada, said he would present the concerns before the district council.
He said the council would discuss possible action to improve access to maternal health services.
“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.
Mr Nalugada also warned health workers against exploiting patients seeking medical services.
Health workers defend antenatal procedures
Health workers defended antenatal procedures, saying physical examinations are necessary to monitor the health of both mothers and unborn babies.
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.
She added that male involvement remains low.
“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.
Ms Nafula urged local leaders to intensify community sensitisation on early and regular antenatal visits.
She said low attendance remains a challenge in Bugiri District.
