KUHES hosts maternity open day

Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) School of Maternal and Neonatal Health, in collaboration with Limbe Health Centre and supported by Seed Global Health, hosted the Maternity Open Day on 25th July 2024 at Mang’omba Village Ground. The event, themed “Promoting Hospital Deliveries to Minimize Childbirth Complications,” aimed to educate the women, families, and communities of Mang’omba Village on the importance of hospital deliveries and early antenatal and postnatal care. This initiative was spurred by data from Limbe Health Centre, which indicates that 12% of women in the village give birth at home.

Throughout the day, a variety of health services were provided, including antenatal care, postnatal care, pre-conception care, obstetric ultrasound scanning, family planning, cervical cancer screening (VIA), under-five care, and general outpatient services. The turnout was impressive, with 8 women attending for antenatal care, 5 for postnatal care, 47 for pre-conception care, and 10 for obstetric ultrasound scanning. Family planning services were utilized by 28 women, while 35 women received VIA screening, and 58 babies were immunized under the under-five care program. The general outpatient services saw 12 women receiving TTV administration, and 19 women were screened for HIV, of whom 16 were tested, with 15 testing negative and 1 testing positive. Additionally, 100 HIV self-testing kits were distributed, 5 women were initiated on PrEP, and 19 women were screened for STIs, all of whom tested negative. A total of 3,120 condoms were distributed.

The event also featured cultural performances, including dances, dramas, and poems, alongside a health talk that highlighted the importance of delivering babies in health facilities, especially at Limbe, which boasts a midwifery-led unit and promotes respectful maternity care. Women were encouraged to report to hospitals for antenatal care as soon as they realize they are pregnant and to seek other services such as postnatal care and family planning. Mang’omba Village is located about 13 km from Limbe Health Centre, the primary health service provider for the area. The event was graced by the presence of Group Village Headman Somba, who served as the guest of honor.