By Andrew Bugembe
A new chapter of hope and improved healthcare has begun for mothers and newborns in Northern Uganda with the official launch of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Amai Community Hospital in Amolatar District.
Save The Mother’s East Africa (STMEA), in partnership with Uganda Christian University (UCU) and with the generous support of donors, celebrated the momentous occasion, marking a significant step forward in addressing the critical need for specialised neonatal care in the region.
Amai Community Hospital serves as a vital referral centre, catering to a large population spanning Amolatar, Kaberamaido, and Dokolo Districts. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) 2024 estimates, Amolatar District has a population of over 135,000 people, while neighbouring Kaberamaido hosts approximately 210,000 and Dokolo 185,000. The hospital has long been grappling with frequent maternity-related referrals, underscoring the urgent need for a fully equipped and functional NICU.
The newly launched NICU will enable Amai Community Hospital to admit and effectively manage pre-term babies and newborns facing various health complications. STMEA and its partners have already equipped the unit to handle a considerable number of cases, a development that promises to dramatically improve neonatal health outcomes in the region. However, hospital officials say more equipment is still needed.
UCU Engineers, under the leadership of Engineer Fred Kahinda, played a crucial role in the project, spearheading the expansion and remodelling of the NICU facility to create a more conducive and healing environment for the delicate newborns.
During the launch ceremony, Dr Mushin Nsubuga, Executive Director of STMEA, expressed his gratitude and urged the community to utilise the new facility responsibly. “Now that the NICU is here, let us appropriately make use of it. Let us take care of the equipment so that it can serve as many mothers and babies as possible,” he said.
Dr Nsubuga also called upon the clergy present to actively participate as community engagement ambassadors, emphasising the importance of health facility-based deliveries for all mothers. This, he stressed, is a key strategy in reducing both maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
Dr Nsubuga further pledged STMEA’s unwavering support for Amai Community Hospital, announcing that the next phase of their commitment will focus on providing comprehensive and ongoing training for all NICU staff. This initiative aims to ensure that the hospital’s medical personnel are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to deliver the highest standards of care to newborns.
The establishment of this NICU is particularly timely and crucial for Amolatar and the surrounding districts, where access to specialised neonatal services was previously severely limited. In the past, families faced the daunting challenge of travelling long distances, often under difficult circumstances, to seek appropriate care for their vulnerable newborns. This new unit will save lives.
The UCU and STMEA partnership is already delivering transformative change in Northern Uganda. Organisers used the launch to thank the STMEA founders, donors, alumni, and friends whose support continues to create healthier futures for mothers and newborns across the region.
