The Rotary Club of Kinoni has pledged to enhance maternity and oxygen care services at Kinoni Health Center III, in a bid to address the overwhelming demand for maternal health services at the facility.
The commitment was announced on Wednesday during a visit by Rotary District 9214 Governor Christine Kyeyune Kawooya. District 9214 covers Rotary clubs in Uganda and Tanzania.
Governor Kawooya said she was moved by the sight of dozens of expectant mothers from Lwengo and neighboring districts such as Ssembabule receiving antenatal care in the center’s small, congested maternity ward.
“We have committed ourselves, through the Rotary Club of Kinoni, to expand the maternity ward, add an extra maternity bed, and provide a tri-cycle village ambulance to transport expectant mothers,” she said.
Highlighting the district’s 2025 and 2026 priorities, Governor Kawooya noted that the primary focus is to equip health centers with oxygen services.
This includes installing oxygen concentrators, solar-powered systems, oxygen piping, and other devices to support newborns in need of respiratory care.
She cited similar support recently extended to Kalangala Health Center IV and applauded the newly established Rotary Club of Kinoni under Chapter President Rotarian John Ssentamu for selecting such a high-impact project.
She also urged mothers to seek antenatal care early to prevent complications.
Ssentamu said the maternity ward expansion would be the club’s flagship project this year, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention.
“Men should not just be sperm donors. They should support mothers with antenatal care. The Rotary Club of Kinoni may not solve all community challenges but we can share the responsibility to expand, renovate, and equip the maternity ward,” he said.
Kinoni Health Center III in-charge, Dr. Musisi Moses Zziwa, said the facility serves over 20,000 outpatients annually but struggles with congestion, limited maternity space, and inadequate equipment.
“Even referrals are a challenge because we have no ambulance to transport patients to Masaka. This pledge will go a long way in boosting maternity and oxygen care,” Dr. Zziwa said.
District leaders welcomed the Rotary’s intervention, saying it would strengthen community health services.
During her visit, Governor Kawooya also distributed Mama kits to expectant mothers receiving care at the facility.
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