Thursday, July 10, 2025
UG Standard - Latest News
  • Home
  • News
    • DIPLOMACY
    • COURT
    • AFRICA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • INTERVIEW:
    • National
    • Parliament
    • World
    • Regional
  • Business
    • AGRIBUSINESS
    • OIL & GAS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • TECH
    • INNOVATIONS
    • TELCOM
  • OpED
  • EDUCATION
  • INVESTIGATION
    • NATIONAL ARCHIVE
    • SPECIAL REPORT
    • ANALYSIS
  • FEATURES
    • SOCIETY
    • Community
    • Pictorial
    • PROFILES
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • ENVIRONMENT
  • Tours & Travel
    • Hotel & Hospitality
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Login
UG Standard - Latest News
ADVERTISEMENT

Medical Teams International saves 546 babies by constructing the first and only NICU in Rwamwanja refugee settlement

by OUR REPORTER | UG STANDARD
24/11/2022
in News
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Natukunda being supported by the midwife to breatfeed her baby.
Natukunda being supported by the midwife to breatfeed her baby (PHOTO/Courtesy).

Located in Kamwenge District, Southwestern Uganda, Rwamwanja refugee settlement is home to over 83,000 refugees from mainly the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Central African Republic (CAR). With only one health center providing in-patient services, health services within the settlement are often strained and inadequate.

Naturinda Sylvia, is one of the Medical Teams’ enrolled midwives at Rwamwanja Health Centre III, the only health center with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) within the settlement. Naturinda was the first midwife to work in the NICU when it was commissioned in October 2021 and she still works here to date.

Related posts

The accused persons in court today.

Vandalism of Electricity Equipments: 17 charged with terrorism

02/07/2025
197

Looming unemployment: Farmers, Residents in shock as NEMA boss orders the demolition of multi million chicken farm

30/06/2025
337
Suspects in court on Monday.

Mpigi District boss, District Service Commission Members Charged over illegalities in Job offers

30/06/2025
164

Tororo leaders hail Lady Justice Sarah Langa for her Dedication,Mentorship and Integrity

29/06/2025
272

Before then, all the babies that were born prematurely and those that required to be admitted in the Intensive care unit would have to be referred to Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital and this took at least one and a half hours to get to using an ambulance.

In 2020, Medical Teams with support from UNHCR embarked on construction of a NICU at Rwamwanja HC III. With a capacity of six incubators (neonatal life support machine), the NICU has in one year so far supported 575 babies, an average of 47 babies admitted per month.

This has greatly improved health service delivery within Rwamwanja refugee Settlement and hosting communities as explained below by Naturinda.

“The NICU has really improved timely access to critical care services to sick newborns because before this, the babies would initially be referred here from other health centers, and we would again refer them to Fort Portal since we also couldn’t manage. Only a few of the babies would make it because the journey is very long and the roads are bumpy, most babies would die in transit.”

“But now we can support babies by moving them right from the labor suit to the NICU. Some of them need oxygen while others need warmth and we have all the machines to provide the immediate care that is needed for them to survive,” she adds.

While visiting the NICU, we ran into 22-year-old Natukunda Immaculate who said she had come to feed her twins. From our interaction with her, Natukunda says she gave birth to the first child from home and walked to hospital for medical treatment.

Upon arrival, she was informed that her baby was a pre-mature and that she still had a second child that she needed to deliver.
“I delivered my twins at only 8months of pregnancy. I didn’t know I was having twins and by the time the second baby was delivered, he was already very tired. We were referred to this Rwamwanja HCIII and I was told both my babies needed oxygen and warmth,” Natukunda narrates.

When she arrived at the health facility, Natukunda’s twins were both placed in incubators for warmth, and they started receiving IV fluids. She was also given psychosocial support and given knowledge on how to feed her babies while in the NICU.

“The babies have now been in the NICU for three weeks and they’ve greatly improved. I’m very happy because the nurses here are supporting my babies well. If I hadn’t found these free services here, I don’t know what was going to happen to my twins,” she adds.

Despite the daily challenges she faces, Naturinda is motivated by the joy she feels each time she discharges a healthy baby.

“I’m very happy when a baby that was admitted with a weight under 1Kg is managed well until he/she is discharged. We continue following up the baby and with time you realize the baby is now 4Kgs, I feel so happy when I see a child progressing and growing up healthy,” says Naturinda.

From Naturinda’s perspective, there’s still need to establish at least one more NICU within one of the other health centers that are far away in order to minimize the distances travelled and loss of babies lives.

Naturinda says: “The distances between here and other health centers is long, and some babies still arrive here when they’re exhausted. The space we have in this NICU is usually not enough to accommodate all the babies, sometimes we must put three babies in one incubator to ensure they all survive.”

Access to Neonatal care services still remain inadequate in other settlements with high deaths by mid-year 2022.

Medical Teams appreciates the support of it partners “who trust us with funds to deliver lifesaving services across the globe. We appeal for more support now more than ever to continue breaking barriers to health and restoring wholeness in a hurting a World.”

Share this:

  • Share
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Tags: FeaturedMedical Teams InternationalMedical Teams International UgandaUganda Red cross

Related Posts

 Abbas urges U.S. to compel Israel to stop violations against Palestinians
News

 Abbas urges U.S. to compel Israel to stop violations against Palestinians

05/11/2022
0
306

Abbas urges U.S. to compel Israel to stop violations against Palestinians RAMALLAH, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas...

Read moreDetails
Equity ranked 4th strongest banking brand globally on brand strength, scoring 92.4 points out of 100

 Equity Bank Under Scrutiny for Alleged Role in UGX.3bn Fake Gold Scam

09/07/2024
619
Minister of Health Dr. Ruth Aceng and Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwiine pay their respects at the burial of Dr. Joshua Musinguzi, a champion in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Uganda. Their presence honors his legacy and dedication to improving healthcare in Uganda.

 FULL LIST: Health Service Commission Shortlists Applicants for Key Roles

18/06/2025
1.2k
Kabuleta and other opposition politicians have teamed up to put an end to Museveni's leadership

 Kabuleta, other opposition politicians team up to put an end to Museveni’s leadership

27/02/2024
498
Load More

Popular Articles

  • Check out the top schools with pupils who scored 6 in 4 aggregates in the 2024 PLE results, as released by UNEB

    PLE 2024 Results: Top Schools with 6 in 4 Aggregates

    4372 shares
    Share 1749 Tweet 1093
  • How to Renew Your National ID Online: NIRA Pre-Registration Portal 2025 Guide

    4018 shares
    Share 1607 Tweet 1005
  • NIRA unveils high-tech National ID, mass enrollment set to begin

    2665 shares
    Share 1066 Tweet 666
  • FULL LIST: Ministry of Education, NCDC publish self-study workbooks amid COVID-19 lockdown

    3323 shares
    Share 1348 Tweet 823
  • How to Check PLE Results 2024 on Phone, Online

    1784 shares
    Share 714 Tweet 446
  • PLE 2024 Results: UNEB Clarifies on Release Date

    1651 shares
    Share 660 Tweet 413
  • MPs clear govt to cancel 2020 academic year

    2796 shares
    Share 1150 Tweet 686

Recent Articles

ODPP Procures 13 Vehicles to ease it’s Prosecutorial Function

09/07/2025

Fueling the Future: How Pesapal’s Forecourt Management Solution is Transforming Uganda’s Petroleum Sector

09/07/2025
Laban Tibiita

“URA FC Feels Like Home” – Laban Tibita After Signing New Two-Year Deal

09/07/2025

Gazelles set for Egypt training camp ahead of 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket

09/07/2025
Uganda airlines Lusaka Hrarare: Minister Matia Kasaija leads Uganda's delegation on the maiden voyage to Zambia and Zimbabwe, forging stronger economic ties between the nations

Uganda Airlines eyes expansion with new government funding

09/07/2025
PostBank Uganda highlights its commitment to agricultural development through innovative financial solutions at the National Agricultural Show.

PostBank Showcases Innovative Financial Solutions for Farmers at National Agricultural Show

09/07/2025
Wakiso District gets new road project as President Museveni breaks ground for Shs 56bn Bukasa-Ssentema-Kakiri Road, set to enhance connectivity and economic development

Museveni flags-off construction of Bukasa- Ssentema- Kakiri Road 

09/07/2025

Recent CommentsRecent Comments

  • The Journey of Ibrahim TraorĂ© on How President Ibrahim TraorĂ©’s ambitious vision is driving Burkina Faso’s economic growth push
  • Ugandan Scientists Finalists For European Inventors Prize — Press Uganda on Ugandan scientists finalists for European inventors prize
  • Government Pumps UGX1 Trillion Into UDB To Drive Industrialization, SME Growth — Press Uganda on Government pumps UGX1 Trillion into UDB to drive Industrialization, SME growth
  • PS Ggoobi Tips On Building USD 500b Economy — Press Uganda on PS Ggoobi tips on building USD 500b economy
  • Museveni Meets German Envoy Matthias Schauer After Subversion Claims — Press Uganda on Museveni meets German envoy Matthias Schauer after subversion claims

UG Standard - Latest News

UG Standard, published via www.ugstandard.com isa publication of Sahel Media Solutions Ltd, a professional Digital/New Media company in Uganda info@ugstandard.com

Follow us on social media:

Latest News

  • ODPP Procures 13 Vehicles to ease it’s Prosecutorial Function
  • Fueling the Future: How Pesapal’s Forecourt Management Solution is Transforming Uganda’s Petroleum Sector
  • “URA FC Feels Like Home” – Laban Tibita After Signing New Two-Year Deal
  • Gazelles set for Egypt training camp ahead of 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket
  • Uganda Airlines eyes expansion with new government funding
  • PostBank Showcases Innovative Financial Solutions for Farmers at National Agricultural Show

OpED

Fueling the Future: How Pesapal’s Forecourt Management Solution is Transforming Uganda’s Petroleum Sector

HELLEN MASIKA: From Darkness to Solar Light in Kijumba 

Why de-register a Motor Vehicle in Uganda: and Consequences of Non-Compliance

Challenges of taxing law firms in Uganda

SHEILA ABOTH: Maternal healthcare must be everyone’s business because it takes a village

© 2024 Ugstandard - Latest News by Digital/New Media company.

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • DIPLOMACY
    • COURT
    • AFRICA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • INTERVIEW:
    • National
    • Parliament
    • World
    • Regional
  • Business
    • AGRIBUSINESS
    • OIL & GAS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • TECH
    • INNOVATIONS
    • TELCOM
  • OpED
  • EDUCATION
  • INVESTIGATION
    • NATIONAL ARCHIVE
    • SPECIAL REPORT
    • ANALYSIS
  • FEATURES
    • SOCIETY
    • Community
    • Pictorial
    • PROFILES
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • ENVIRONMENT
  • Tours & Travel
    • Hotel & Hospitality
  • Sports
  • About Us

© 2024 Ugstandard - Latest News by Digital/New Media company.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
%d