Rotary Clubs of Masaka (Uganda) and Hassfurt (Germany), in partnership with Hotel Next Masaka, have donated neonatal mortality medical equipment worth over Shs 10 million to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital to strengthen maternal, child, and newborn healthcare services.
The donation is aimed at supporting the hospital’s maternity and neonatal units, which serve one of the busiest referral populations in Uganda’s central region.
While handing over the equipment, the President of the Rotary Club of Masaka, Rtn. Madrine Namayengo, said the intervention followed a needs assessment that revealed critical gaps in neonatal care.
“After assessing the situation at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, we discovered that many newborns lose their lives shortly after birth due to inadequate equipment,” Namayengo said. “As Rotary, we resolved to prioritise neonatal care and commit to offering this support annually.”
She commended the Rotary Club of Hassfurt, Germany, and Hotel Next Masaka for partnering on the initiative, noting that collaboration is key to creating sustainable health outcomes.
The donated items include an infant weighing scale, handheld pulse oximeters, breathing circuits, cannulas, a television screen for maternal health education, and a refrigerator for the safe storage of breast milk for neonate babies from 0-one month.
The Managing Director of Hotel Next Masaka and President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Masaka, Rtn. Ssegawa Sotius, said the decision to support the project was motivated by the harsh realities faced by families in the neonatal unit.
“The stories of newborns losing their lives were deeply touching,” Ssegawa said. “We believe this support will make a meaningful contribution towards saving young lives.”
Receiving the equipment, the Deputy Director of Masaka Regional Referral Hospital and senior pediatric specialist, Dr. Mary Nyantaro, revealed that the facility records over 9,000 deliveries annually, the highest number in the central region.
“These mothers come from Greater Masaka and neighbouring districts including Gomba, Mpigi, and Butambala,” Dr. Nyantalo said, adding that the high delivery numbers place immense pressure on the hospital’s neonatal unit.
She noted that the current unit 15 beds but accommodates close to 30 babies per day, plans are underway to relocate to a new government-funded maternity and childcare complex, which will increase capacity to at least 60 newborns.
Hospital Director Dr. James Elima said many general hospitals in the Masaka sub-region lack the specialised equipment required to manage premature births, forcing referrals to the regional hospital.
“With increased support and more equipment, we aim to strengthen lower health facilities to manage neonatal cases, which will help reduce congestion at the referral hospital,” Dr. Elima said, applauding Rotary and Hotel Next Masaka for the timely intervention.
Health experts attribute neonatal deaths in Uganda largely to premature births, birth complications, infections, and congenital anomalies. According to the World Health Organization, Sub-Saharan Africa records the highest neonatal mortality rate globally, estimated at 27 deaths per 1,000 live births.
The donation is expected to significantly improve neonatal care services at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital and contribute to broader efforts to reduce newborn mortality in the region.
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