At least 31 babies have died in Uganda’s main hospital, Mulago, hospital since the closure of Uganda’s largest and third-oldest institution of higher learning on November 1st, reports the Daily Monitor.
Makerere University Kampala was ordered to be shut down after an order from President Yoweri Museveni following students’ riots protesting lecturer’s strike.
“Since the withdrawal of Senior House Officers on November 1, 2016 to date, Mulago has unfortunately lost 31 new-borns. These deaths were majorly as a result of severe birth asphyxia and complications associated with prematurity,” said Ms Sarah Opendi, the State minister of Health in charge of General Duties
According to the Health Minister, Mulago hospital administration has re-arranged the workforce with special focus on critical areas such as Special Care and Labour Suite following the closure of the university which led to withdrawal of 120 post graduate students working in the facility.
According to the minister the hospital rejected claims that the hospital lost only 31 babies an average of one new-borns per month due to unavoidable circumstances, but rather due to late referrals.
“The Postgraduate students are not responsible for the death that happen in Mulago but because mothers came late, the unborn babies in the womb die due to lack of oxygen,” said Mulago executive director, Dr Byarugaba Baterana
