AMUDAT, – A newly rehabilitated operating theatre at Karita Health Centre IV is giving hope to expectant mothers in Amudat District after years of dangerous referrals and preventable deaths.
The upgrade, worth UGX 96 million, was funded by Stanbic Bank in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Doctors with Africa CUAMM, and Amudat District Local Government. The bank also donated 200 Mama Kits and other medical supplies.
About a month ago, Maria Chepsok, a Traditional Birth Attendant in Karita sub-county, lost her sister-in-law to childbirth complications.
“The delays we encountered on the way, and because there was no operating theatre at Karita HC IV, we couldn’t save the child and mother,” Chepsok said. “If the theatre had been operational then, perhaps my sister would have been saved. I thank Stanbic Bank that it’s now operational.”
Her story is common in Karamoja, where Karita Health Centre IV continues to record maternal mortality rates above the national average. The facility serves over 37,000 people across Amudat, neighbouring districts, and parts of Kenya.
Dr George Ogwang, the health centre in-charge, said referrals were a major challenge.
“Karita is very hard to reach. Moroto Regional Referral Hospital is 210km away. Mbale is 164km. Amudat Hospital is 90km,” Dr Ogwang noted.
In addition he said, “Sometimes we’re forced to cross to Kacheliba Hospital in West Pokot, Kenya, which is 24km. Now that we have a theatre and lab, we need more critical staff. I request the Ministry of Health and partners to treat Karita as a special facility that needs real support.”
Diana Ondoga, Manager of Corporate Social Investment at Stanbic Bank, said the project is about more than a building.
“We are not merely unveiling a new building, but opening doors to safer motherhood, improved healthcare outcomes, and renewed hope for thousands of families who previously faced difficulties accessing maternal health services,” Ondoga said.
“No single institution can achieve meaningful development alone. This is the result of strong partnerships.”
Dr Richard Mugahi, Commissioner for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health at the Ministry of Health, welcomed the support.
“Through collaboration with Stanbic, CUAMM, and others, we are working to ensure no mother, newborn, or child is left behind,” Mugahi said. “Karita is one of the most remote and disadvantaged areas in Karamoja. We take this support very seriously.”
Esther Chepakori from Chebinyin village said the theatre ends a major burden. “I am very happy about the theatre, because many people have been experiencing difficulties when told they have to be referred somewhere else and fuel the ambulance.”
Uganda has cut its maternal mortality ratio to 189 deaths per 100,000 live births. But the country must accelerate progress to hit the UN SDG target of fewer than 70 deaths by 2030. While Uganda’s overall fertility rate has dropped to about four children per woman, Amudat and Karamoja average more than seven. The upgraded Karita HC IV now offers outpatient care, inpatient services, antenatal, maternity, immunisation, and family planning.
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