By Trypheen Asimire
Kampala – The U.S. government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has donated 235 pieces of essential medical equipment to 36 health facilities across 21 districts in Uganda.
This initiative aims to improve healthcare services and save lives, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
The donated equipment includes advanced technologies such as ultrasound machines, hematology analyzers, infant incubators, oxygen concentrators, resuscitation tools, delivery beds and autoclave machines among others.
These will enable health facilities to provide comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care, significantly reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
According to U.S. Ambassador William Popp, this donation represents the United States’ continued investment in the health and well-being of Uganda’s mothers and newborns.
Uganda has made progress in reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths, but over 1,000 women and 25,000 newborns still lose their lives annually due to preventable causes.
“We believe that with targeted investments, including providing essential medical equipment, we can prevent these deaths,” said Ambassador Popp during the handover ceremony held at Joint Medical Stores in Kampala on Monday.
The U.S. government, through USAID, has invested $500,000 in the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad award to build the capacity of health workers and procure the donated equipment.
This initiative is expected to improve care for approximately 282,000 women and over 7,000 newborns annually.
“We understand that providing equipment is only one part of the solution. That is why the U.S. government through USAID continues to train and equip health workers at every level of the healthcare system,” said Ambassador Popp
He added, “We know we can’t do it alone; that is why we call upon all stakeholders to support a holistic approach, where the mother and baby are at the center of care.”
Ambassador Popp urged health facilities receiving the equipment to ensure proper use and maintenance for long-term impact.
This donation complements the U.S. government’s 60-year history of investing in Uganda’s health system, making it more resilient.
At the handover ceremony, Daniel Kyabayinze, Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Health, pledged the ministry’s commitment to accountability and self-leadership in reducing maternal deaths. “We shall audit and continue to audit every maternal death… We must check what was preventable and what we can do to ensure it doesn’t happen again,” Kyabayinze stated.
He also emphasized the importance of accountability and ownership of results, thanking the U.S. government for their support. “We shall be good custodians of what we have been given… We will continue to give the right accountability and own the results and outcomes to serve our community,” Kyabayinze added.
USAID’s efforts align with its global health strategy, focusing on advancing health innovation, addressing pressing health challenges, and promoting safe motherhood.