Uganda globally recognized for remarkable leadership for Maternal & Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response
Drake Nyamugabwa
Maternal & Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) is a system that measures and tracks all maternal and perinatal deaths in real-time, helps to understand the underlying factors contributing to the deaths and stimulates and guides actions to prevent future deaths.
During the 5-day Global Maternal &Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) Technical Working Group meeting, Uganda was appreciated for the strong leadership in MPDSR with a Maternal death notification rate above 90% and an equally high review rate.
Participants from different countries across all continents came to a consensus that global collaboration helps countries support one another so that no country is left behind and compare legal frameworks most especially in regulation to identify areas for strengthening.
Dr. Diana Atwine
While opening the global meeting held in Kampala from 11th - 15th March 2024 at Protea Hotel by Marriott Kampala Skyz, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health Dr. Diana Atwine, highlighted the importance of legal and policy review and implementation, capacity building at all levels of the healthcare system, and locally contextualized research and innovation, including community health initiatives and digitalization for accurate data.
She shared innovative practices in Uganda, such as weekly national and regional surveillance and support meetings, and the initiation of a community health e-system.
“I joined Global experts from all over the world who are converging in Kampala Uganda for the Annual convention to discuss and share experiences about the evolving landscape in improving the care for mothers and the newborn. At the country level, we are making issues of Maternal and Newborn Health everyone’s business. At District level the CAO, political and civil leaders must all join the crusade of ending preventable Maternal and Newborn Deaths” she said
The meeting attracted representatives from 17 countries across all continents, along with UN bodies and CSOs, engaging in reflections on the progress made in maternal and perinatal surveillance and response. The participants are also sharing best practices to further enhance these efforts and exploring opportunities for synergies and collaboration.
CEHURD who also actively participated in the Global Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) Technical Working Group Meeting, shared insights from the legal perspective including outcomes from legal interventions, such as the implementation of Court decisions.
The MPDSR is a World Health Organization’s initiative to prevent avoidable maternal mortality through a comprehensive cycle of action and surveillance to interpret and analyze obtained data, leading to the formulation of recommended actions that can effectively address the root causes of maternal and perinatal deaths.
