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Village Health Team officials (VHTs) in Jinja City say they have gained significant ground over Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in their efforts to promote antenatal services and safe deliveries among expectant mothers.

Ms Stella Okwi, a VHT attached to Budondo Health Centre IV, in Jinja North City Division, said lately, expectant mothers are attending antenatal services without any coercion.

“We tell them to come with their partners and subject them to a number of tests like HIV/Aids, and malaria, among others,” Ms Okwi said on Jul7 27.

She added: “We also tell them to prepare for the baby by saving some money and having contacts of boda boda so that in case labour starts, this expectant mother can be rushed to hospital or to health centre.”

According to Ms Okwi, some expectant mothers get miscarriages because they do not know their health status and ignore signs of malaria, and Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), claiming they are “normal symptoms of pregnancy”.

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