Mothers in Nyabuswa in Mugusu Sub County and the neighboring areas of Karangura Sub County, Kabarole district have abandoned Nyabuswa Health Centre III over cultural beliefs.
Local people (Bakonzo) living in this mountainous area have a belief that the first mother to deliver in a newly built hospital dies.
No mother has delivered at the facility’s maternity ward, since it was established by the district about one year ago.
The facility with its 16 staff members is equipped with maternity beds, medicine, water, power and has three mid wives.
Gloria Biira, a mother of two says for fear of dying in labor, she rather delivered in the hands of Traditional Birth Attendants than delivering in the new facility.
Henry Kagaba the in-charge at the Health Centre says the facility receives 70-90 mothers for Antenatal Care Services every month but no mother has ever delivered at the health facility.
He explains that for Antenatal Care services, they have hit their targets but after accessing the services, the women opt for Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) while others go to Fort Portal.
Kagaba attributes this trend to the local leaders’ failure to mobilize and sensitize mothers to embrace the facility.
During the monitoring of the government programs in Mugusu Sub County and Mugusu town council on Friday, the area LC3 chairperson Mr. Jorum Tumusiime astonished district leaders, disclosing the cultural misconception by the local mothers.
As a result, the district chairperson Mr. Richard Rwabuhinga offered a Shs 250,000 cash prize to the first brave woman to give birth at the facility.
He however commended the health workers for good attendance and keeping the facility in good conditions to serve the out-patients.