Kamwenge District is battling alarming rates of anemia among pregnant women, alongside a rise in low birth weights and preterm births, largely attributed to malnutrition.
Health experts warn that these challenges pose serious risks to the well-being of mothers and their newborns, with nearly half of all preterm births in the region linked to maternal nutritional deficiencies.
Dr. Ivan Mujuni, Principal Medical Officer at Rukunyu General Hospital, emphasized the grave impact of anemia, describing it as a leading cause of fatigue, complications during childbirth, and low birth weights.
“Many women in Kamwenge rely on staples like matooke and cassava, which lack vital nutrients such as iron, folic acid, and proteins,” Dr. Mujuni explained. “Without dietary diversity, they cannot meet the nutritional demands of pregnancy, leading to severe health consequences.”
The district’s agricultural focus masks a troubling paradox: despite being food-rich, poverty and poor dietary habits leave many families malnourished. Dr. Yonah Ajoku, head of the Neonatal Ward at Rukunyu General Hospital, highlighted how families often sell high-quality produce like beans and Irish potatoes, consuming only lower-grade food themselves.
“They eat the bad ones; the good ones are sold at the market,” Dr. Ajoku said, adding that this dynamic contributes to widespread malnutrition and anemia among pregnant women.
Rukunyu General Hospital, serving Kamwenge and neighboring districts like Kyenjonjo and Kitagwenda, is overwhelmed with cases of severe anemia requiring blood transfusions.
The hospital handles an average of 90 referrals monthly for critical care related to malnutrition. Additionally, about 50% of pediatric admissions are linked to nutritional deficiencies, while malnutrition-related complications strain the gynecology department.
Alarmingly, the hospital spends UGX 150 million shillings annually—a third of its total budget—on addressing malnutrition, underscoring the crisis’s financial burden on healthcare infrastructure.
To tackle the crisis, the district has launched nutrition education programs and community outreach initiatives, with support from UNICEF and UKAid.
Kamwenge Assistant District Health Officer, Virginia Komworeko, said these efforts aim to promote the use of locally available foods and establish household vegetable gardens. Village Health Teams (VHTs) are also educating families on the nutritional benefits of vegetables and ensuring proper garden maintenance.
Pregnant mothers diagnosed with anemia are treated at two specialized facilities within the district, with severe cases referred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.
Despite the challenges, health officials report progress. “With nutrition programs targeting communities, we are beginning to see change,” Dr. Mujuni said. He noted a gradual reduction in malnutrition-induced complications, including severe anemia and abortions.
Health experts remain optimistic that sustained community engagement and improved maternal nutrition will significantly reduce the devastating effects of malnutrition in Kamwenge, safeguarding the health of mothers and children.