Midwives advocate for salary increments, greater inclusion in crisis planning
“We understand your challenges and are working systematically to address them,” Nabanja reassured.
Hoima: Midwives across Uganda have called for salary increments, promotions, and meaningful inclusion in national crisis planning, emphasizing their indispensable role in maternal and newborn care during emergencies.
The appeal was made on Monday during the International Day of the Midwife celebrations held at Hoima Booma Grounds under the theme “Midwives, Critical in Every Crisis.”
Annet Evelyn Kanyunyuzi, President of the National Midwives Association of Uganda, led the call, stressing that midwives are often frontline responders in health emergencies.
She urged the government to prioritize midwives in crisis response frameworks and improve financial support for their SACCOs and associations.
“Many midwives are weighed down by debt and financial stress, which affects their ability to provide quality care. Strengthening our SACCOs will help support members and improve healthcare outcomes,” Kanyunyuzi said.
She also raised concern over the persistent use of traditional birth attendants, who she said often delay women from reaching medical facilities in time, thereby complicating the work of professional midwives.
Achayo Evelyn, Senior Principal Nursing Officer at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, echoed these concerns. She revealed that midwives at the facility are overstretched, with only one midwife covering entire shifts, leading to burnout and reduced quality of care.
Achayo also cited limited promotion opportunities, low salaries, and alleged corruption in recruitment as major obstacles facing midwives and other healthcare workers.
Grace Mary Mugasa, State Minister for Public Service, acknowledged the challenges, pointing out that the lack of district and city hospitals has led to congestion at regional facilities like Hoima. She said the government is reviewing the “hard-to-reach areas” formula to improve support for staff in remote regions.
Mugasa noted that the government had raised midwives’ salaries from UGX 613,000 to UGX 1.4 million, and appealed for patience as they work to improve pay for other public servants.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabanja instructed Hoima Regional Referral Hospital to submit a comprehensive report detailing its facility needs. She said the Ministry of Health is revising the human resource structure to address staffing shortages and warned midwives against taking large loans that may affect job performance.
“We understand your challenges and are working systematically to address them,” Nabanja reassured.
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