Ministry of Health responds to tragic death of expectant woman and child
The Ministry of Health has spoken out regarding the tragic death of Alice Akwi, a 36-year-old woman, who died after complications from a cesarean section at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital.
Dr. Charles Olaro, Director of Health Services, cited overwhelming patient numbers and inadequate hospital infrastructure as major challenges contributing to the loss.
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Akwi, a resident of Soroti, passed away on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, after developing complications during labor. She had earlier lost her newborn baby the same day, adding to her family's sorrow.
Her ordeal began on the evening of Monday, September 2, when she experienced labor pains and was admitted to Asuret HCIII. Midwives detected a breech presentation, a high-risk complication where the baby is positioned feet or buttocks first, necessitating an urgent transfer to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital.
However, due to the unavailability of an ambulance at Asuret HCIII, Akwi's family had to arrange for her transportation on motorcycles, known as boda bodas, reaching Soroti Regional Referral Hospital around 10:00 pm.
Unfortunately, despite the seriousness of her condition, there was no immediate medical assistance available as midwives were occupied with other deliveries.
Prossy Asekenye, desperately sought help, but it wasn't until midnight that a midwife was able to attend to her. By this time, Akwi was bleeding heavily, signaling an emergency.
Due to a lack of space and resources at the referral hospital, Akwi was transferred to Atirir HCIV, 30 kilometers away, where she underwent a cesarean section at around 3:00 am. Tragically, her baby was declared dead shortly after birth
The lack of timely medical intervention has drawn widespread criticism, with Akwi’s family blaming delays at the referral hospital for her death.
“If only they had attended to her immediately, we wouldn’t be mourning her today,” said her sister tearfully.
Dr. Joseph Epodoi, a senior consultant surgeon at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, early defended the decision to refer Akwi to Atirir HCIV, citing space constraints and resource shortages.
“It’s not common practice to refer patients from a regional referral hospital to a lower-tier facility, but in cases like this, it becomes necessary,” Dr. Epodoi said earlier.
Dr. Stephen Elasu, a medical officer at Princess Diana HCIV, echoed the challenges faced by healthcare workers in the region, explaining that the system is overwhelmed. "Sometimes I perform up to 10 cesarean sections a day, but we still have a queue of mothers waiting," he noted, emphasizing that delays in seeking care exacerbate the problem.
The incident has sparked fresh discussions about the state of maternal healthcare in Uganda, with calls for urgent reforms to ensure timely access to quality care for expectant mothers, particularly in rural areas.
