Obstetrics Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Obstetrics, including details on caesarean delivery, child birth, labour.

A sector-wide approach to emergency obstetric care in Uganda.

Orinda V, Kakande H, Kabarangira J, Nanda G, Mbonye AK

UNICEF, Kampala, Uganda. vorinda@unicef.org

PURPOSE: To establish a baseline for the availability, utilization, and quality of EmOC, and to help develop an operational strategy based on the findings. METHODS: A needs assessment of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) was carried out in 197 health facilities in 19 out of 56 districts in Uganda, covering 38% of the total population. FINDINGS: There were a large number of missing signal functions at health facilities and an urgent need to improve the availability of EmOC. CONCLUSION: By using the data from the assessment, it was possible to influence national policy through the health sector-wide approach (SWAp) and place EmOC high on the national agenda. A national strategy and roll out plan to strengthen EmOC is now in place.

Published 18 November 2005 in Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 91(3): 285-91; discussion 283-4.
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