We partner with governments, local and international organizations through our teams of local and international experts and volunteers to influence both individual & community mindset on maternal health and change of attitude, behavior and practice. We augment ministry of health efforts in the community in the reduction of maternal deaths because our operations are anchored at the grassroots of the community.
Training of health workers, women and girls over 15 years
In collaboration with professional bodies that is Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners council (UMDPC) an association that regulates doctors, Uganda Nurses and Mid-wives Union (UNU) an association that regulates nurses and the Allied Health Professionals Council (AHPC) an association that regulates allied health workers, we have trained 4 238 health workers. These are 235 doctors had refresher trainings in emergence management of complicated pregnancies, 3400 nurses and mid-wives were trained in antenatal care and management of uncomplicated pregnancies and 603 clinical officers trained in management of pregnant women. We partner with the respective professional bodies to improve on attendance rates because the trainings are part of the routine continued professional development of health workers. Every health worker that attends accumulates credit units that are necessary for annual renewal of their practicing licenses.
Community awareness on maternal and child health
Leveraging on our experience in community mobilization and partnership with local leadership structures and influential members of the community such as religious leaders, we have conducted 305 community health education trainings for women and girls over 15 years. The women and girls over 15 years are trained in family planning and prevention of unplanned pregnancies. These trainings have improved on management of pregnant women, promoted family planning, avoidance of unwanted pregnancies and diseases such as sexually transmitted infections. We have promoted male involvement during antenatal care of pregnant women and acknowledged the need for improved nurturing of the boy child at the family level.
Community empowerment
There is a thin line between wealth and health. Therefore, TEAHT focuses in improving livelihoods of women so that they are to earn an income to support themselves and their families. Women that earn decent income are able to attend antenatal care, support their families and less vulnerable to domestic violence. They are able to undertake decisions that affect them and their families. Therefore, we support women through establishment of small scale businesses, ensure ready markets for their products and equip them with entrepreneurship skills to manage their businesses.
Gender equality
We acknowledge that gender inequality is closely correlated with poverty of women in the community. We support vulnerable women through business trainings, apprenticeship, coaching and mentorship in entrepreneur skills such that the women are able to earn a living and contribute towards family economic development. The women are provided with interest free soft loans, guided on profitable business and marketing of their goods/service. The organization has established 103 businesses in different sectors. The majority of start-up businesses have been mainly in the agriculture sector such as farming and agro processing that tends to offer ready market in Uganda.
Health research in Maternal and child health
In collaboration with Makerere University School of Public Health, we have conducted different researches in maternal and child health. The research is aimed at identifying key challenges and find solutions to key barriers of the provision of maternal and child care services in Uganda. The Epitome of African Health Transformation has been fundamental in conducting research in barriers to access to antenatal and emergence care, uptake of fansidar in pregnancy and utilization of insecticide treated mosquito nets in Uganda. The findings were the low male involvement, gender inequality and inadequate income were significantly associated with consistent access to antenatal and emergence maternal health care. Negative perceptions and inappropriate housing were significantly associated with low uptake of fansidar during pregnancy and utilization of insecticide treated mosquito nets respectively. These findings contributed solutions towards the promotion of antenatal care in partnership with the ministry of health and improved uptake to fansidar and utilization of insecticide treated mosquito nets. We intend to consolidate on our research and strengthen collaboration with our partners in the provision of quality health care in Uganda.
Advocacy for improved health financing
Uganda allocates less than 7% of the national budget to health care that is far below the recommended 15% by World Health Organization. The low expenditure has not only affected the provision of maternal and child health but the general provision of quality health care in the nation.
The Epitome of African Health Transformation has partnered with parliament and the different associations of health workers to lobby and advocate for increased financing of the health sector. The increased financing is projected to improve health infrastructure, staff remuneration, capacity building, essential medication and disease prevention.