By Leilah Bbaale
A Traditional Birth Attendant-TBA in Kagadi district is in trouble over the death of an expectant mother and her child. The suspect has only been identified as Sarah, a resident of Rugashari Sub County in Kagadi district.
The deceased has been identified as Jacinta Hafasimana 28, the wife to Omuhereza Byaruhanga, the LCI chairperson of Rukiga village in Kagadi district. It is alleged that Hafasimana was rushed to Rugashari Health Center III on Wednesday with labour pains.
The health workers referred her to Kagadi General Hospital after the nurses at Rugashari Health Center III failed to manage her condition. Instead of rushing her to Kagadi General Hospital, Byaruhanga decided to take her to Sarah’s home.
As Sarah started working on Hafasimaana, she started bleeding profusely leading to her death. Her newly born baby also died minutes later. Some of the residents immediately informed Lillian Ruteraho, the Kagadi Resident District Commissioner-RDC about the incident prompting her to swing into action leading to Sarah’s arrest.
She was immediately whisked to Kagadi Central Police station where is currently in custody. According to Ruteraho, six expectant mothers have died in Sarah’s hands within the last 8 months, adding that she has been on the police’s wanted list for illegally delivering mothers.
The government banned TBAs close to ten years ago with the hope of reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in the country. However, they continue attracting expectant mothers owing to challenges of accessing maternal health services in some areas.
