NDA donates mama kits to Alur Kingdom to support safe motherhood
The Kingdom further appreciated the NDA delegation, including the Regional Inspector of Drugs for West Nile, for demonstrating solidarity with the Alur people through the donation.
Zombo: The National Drug Authority (NDA) has donated 140 customized mama kits to the Alur Kingdom to strengthen efforts aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity across the kingdom.
The donation was handed over by NDA Public Relations Officer, Fred Kabuye, to the Alur Kingdom Prime Minister, Lawrence Opar Angala, on June 22 at the Prime Minister’s offices in Yamu Trading Centre, Atyak Sub-county, Zombo District.
The mama kits are intended to support vulnerable expectant mothers by addressing financial and hygiene-related barriers that often hinder access to safe delivery services.
Each kit contains essential childbirth and newborn care supplies, including cotton wool, surgical gloves, maternity pads, wipes, baby pampers, a delivery sheet, a cord clamp, surgical blades, gauze, an immunisation card, tetracycline eye ointment, baby soap, and other items necessary for a clean and safe delivery.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Kabuye urged the Kingdom leadership to ensure the kits are distributed effectively to the intended beneficiaries.
“These mama kits are meant to support expectant mothers and contribute to safer deliveries. We encourage the Kingdom leadership to ensure they reach those who need them most,” Kabuye said.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the King, Prince Lawrence Opar Angala welcomed the support and commended the NDA for partnering with the Kingdom to improve maternal health outcomes.
“We received mama kits to support expectant mothers across the Alur Kingdom. This timely contribution will strengthen our efforts to complement government initiatives aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality,” Opar said.
He revealed that the kits would be distributed through the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health, headed by Dr. Amos Nyathirombo, in collaboration with health facilities across the Kingdom.
“As the Kingdom, we commend NDA for this great support. Through our Health Ministry, we shall liaise with in-charges of health facilities across the Kingdom to help expectant mothers,” he added.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the need for accountability and proper utilization of the kits to ensure they benefit the intended recipients.
The Kingdom further appreciated the NDA delegation, including the Regional Inspector of Drugs for West Nile, for demonstrating solidarity with the Alur people through the donation.
Health workers say access to mama kits remains a challenge for many expectant mothers, especially during stock-outs at government health facilities. In such situations, mothers are often forced to purchase delivery supplies from private outlets at costs ranging between UGX 30,000 and UGX 45,000 or resort to unsafe alternatives.
Although mama kits are officially provided free of charge through the National Medical Stores, persistent shortages and high patient numbers continue to affect availability in several health facilities, including those in Zombo District.
The donation forms part of a broader partnership between the NDA and the Alur Kingdom. Earlier this year, the two institutions agreed to collaborate on initiatives aimed at combating drug and alcohol abuse, particularly among young people.
Under the arrangement, the NDA will support annual football tournaments organized by the Kingdom as a platform for sensitizing youth about the dangers of substance abuse.
The Maama Kit initiative was introduced in Uganda in 1997 with support from the World Health Organization and officially launched in Luwero District in 2003. It is widely recognized as a cost-effective intervention for promoting clean and safe deliveries and reducing infections associated with childbirth.
Health experts say the initiative has played a significant role in improving maternal and newborn health outcomes, particularly in rural and low-resource communities where access to essential delivery supplies remains limited.
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