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Jul 6, 2009

Uganda launches national misoprostol program to prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth

On Friday, June 26, 2009 in Bugiri district, Uganda, the Ministry of Health of Uganda, with support from Venture Strategies Innovations and the Programme for Accessible Health Communications and Education (PACE), launched its first national program introducing the life-saving drug misoprostol for prevention and treatment of excessive bleeding after childbirth, or postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)—a condition that takes the lives of over 5,000 Ugandan mothers each year.

The well-publicized launch attracted national media and more than 700 community members.  The day’s festivities included entertainment in the form of musical and dance acts by women and children from the community.  A drama group comprised primarily of young people performed sketches that highlighted the importance of planning for a safe delivery, including the need to deliver at a health facility, as well as the role of misoprostol in preventing postpartum hemorrhage.

As a part of the initial public sector rollout of misoprostol in ten districts, doctors, nurses and midwives were trained on misoprostol use for management of PPH.  The program is designed to make the low-cost tablets available to women delivering at district hospitals and health centers, level III and IV.

“The Ministry of Health of Uganda is very proud to be launching this exciting program that can save the lives of mothers,” said Dr. Anthony Mbonye, Assistant Commissioner for Reproductive Health.  “By promoting misoprostol as an additional medicine to prevent and treat excessive bleeding after childbirth, the leading cause of maternal death, Uganda has taken a great step forward in strengthening our country, our communities, our families and our mothers.”

As news spreads about the launch of this exciting new program, more District Health Officers are asking that their districts be included in initial rollout efforts.  Results from the initial ten-district rollout will be used to inform further scale-up of misoprostol availability as the country works to reduce the number of maternal deaths each year.  The current maternal mortality ratio is 435 deaths per 100,000 live births and 25% of these deaths are due to PPH.

VSI began working in Uganda in March of 2008 and facilitated the registration of misoprostol for this important maternal health indication just three months later, allowing for its legal importation, distribution and marketing.  Uganda is the sixth country where Venture Strategies has assisted with an official launch of misoprostol to save mothers’ lives from postpartum hemorrhage.

Local press coverage of the launch: Health launches anti-bleeding drug