Health authorities in Buliisa District have issued a strong warning to expectant mothers against relying on Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), saying they lack the skills, equipment, and capacity to handle emergency pregnancy and delivery complications such as severe bleeding, prolonged labour, and seizures conditions that frequently result in maternal and newborn deaths.
The warning comes in the wake of the death of three expectant mothers last week in Biiso Town Council, incidents that have sparked concern and public debate over the quality of maternal health services in the district.
Speaking to our reporter this afternoon, the District Health Officer (DHO), Dr. Taitus Sabiiti, revealed that there is a growing trend of pregnant women choosing to deliver from home under the care of TBAs, despite the availability of health facilities in the area.
Dr. Sabiiti dismissed allegations circulating in the community that health workers neglected their duties in the recent cases. He clarified that two of the deceased mothers were first received and attended to at a health facility in Buliisa District and were immediately referred to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital for advanced care due to complications. Unfortunately, he said, both women died on arrival at the referral hospital.
▶️ : Dr. Sabiiti 1 and 2 on rumors (English)
He further explained that the third expectant mother had delivered at a TBA’s home but developed complications after childbirth, including a retained placenta. By the time she was rushed to Biiso Health Centre IV, she was already dead.
The DHO stressed that many pregnancy-related deaths are preventable if mothers seek timely medical attention and deliver under the care of skilled health workers. He urged pregnant women to attend antenatal care clinics regularly, follow medical advice, and make early birth plans that include delivering from a health facility.
Dr. Sabiiti emphasized that TBAs do not have the training, equipment, or medicines needed to manage obstetric emergencies such as postpartum haemorrhage, eclampsia, or obstructed labour, which require immediate and specialized medical intervention.
However, he also called upon Traditional Birth Attendants to work hand in hand with the health system by promptly referring expectant mothers to health facilities whenever complications arise, instead of attempting to manage such cases at home.
Health officials in the district say they will continue sensitizing communities on the dangers of home deliveries and the importance of utilizing professional maternal health services in order to reduce preventable maternal and neonatal deaths.
