Senior Reporter
Kabale District Health Department has reported that around 40 pregnant women die annually from pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy complication characterized by hypertension, according to District Health Officer Dr. Gilbert Arineitwe Mateeka.
Pre-eclampsia is the second leading cause of maternal deaths worldwide and the primary cause of maternal death in Uganda, according to statistics. In a press briefing at his office in Kabale Municipality during pre-eclampsia awareness week, which concludes on Saturday, Dr. Arineitwe highlighted that of the four maternal deaths recorded this year, one was due to pre-eclampsia.
Dr. Arineitwe pointed out that first-time mothers, mothers with multiple pregnancies, those with a history of pre-eclampsia, mothers with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, and those with hypertension are particularly at risk.
Kabale District Health Educator Alfred Besigensi announced that the Health Department, in collaboration with Uganda Health Activity (UHA), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and other organizations, has launched a public awareness campaign to reduce maternal deaths caused by pre-eclampsia.
Pre-eclampsia, marked by seizures and convulsions in pregnant women with high blood pressure, is a potentially life-threatening complication for both mother and baby.
Dr. Arineitwe explained that untreated pre-eclampsia could lead to eclampsia (convulsions), brain hemorrhage, kidney failure, and severe bleeding in pregnant women. For babies, it can cause fetal distress, poor growth, and prematurity.
