MTN Foundation improves healthcare at Nawansega III Health Centre in Luuka District

MTN Uganda, through its philanthropic arm, the MTN Foundation, has reaffirmed its commitment to improving access to healthcare in Uganda with a significant donation valued at over UGX 58.3 million to the Nawansega III Health Centre in Luuka District.

The donation includes essential medical equipment such as a 3-part CBC machine, a centrifuge machine, delivery and programming costs, solar lighting, 15 hospital beds and 15 mattresses, a medical refrigerator and a microscope, aimed at strengthening health services in the region.

The ceremony, held at the Nawansega III Health Centre, was attended by community leaders, health professionals and representatives from MTN Uganda, and marked a pivotal moment in the MTN Foundation’s Access to Healthcare Initiative. This initiative focuses on improving maternal and newborn health across the country.

“At MTN, we firmly believe that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern, connected world, including access to quality healthcare,” said Dorcas Muhwezi, General Manager, Customer Experience, MTN Uganda.

“This belief is the driving force behind our Access to Care Initiative, which we proudly launched in 2018 to help our government improve maternal and newborn health in our communities.”

Nawansega Health Centre III, a private, not-for-profit facility supporting over 4,200 people, joins a growing list of 45 other beneficiaries of this initiative, in which MTN Foundation has invested 1 billion Ugandan shillings since its inception. Some of the health centres that have benefited from this initiative include Kimaka Health Centre III in Jinja Town, Kagote Health Centre III in Fort Portal Town, Ajia Health Centre III in Arua District, Kyayi Health Centre III in Gomba District and Kaabong Mission Health Centre III in Kaabong District. Each centre has received critical equipment and support aimed at improving the quality of care delivered to their communities.

Muhwezi stressed that the new support is closely aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, which seeks to reduce the global maternal mortality rate to less than 70 per 100,000 live births and end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age by 2030.

Recent data from the Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the Government and its partners in 2019 show significant improvements in maternal and under-five mortality rates in Uganda.

Maternal mortality has been reduced by more than half since 1990, to 336 deaths per 100,000 live births, while the under-five mortality rate has declined from 183 deaths per 1,000 live births to 43 deaths per 1,000 live births over the same period. However, maternal mortality rates remain high, highlighting the need for sustained efforts to improve health care outcomes.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to the management of MTN Uganda for their support, which will significantly improve healthcare in our surrounding communities,” said Kenneth Kulata, Head of Nawansega III Health Centre.

However, Kulata noted that the facility still faces challenges, including a lack of staff, the absence of an ambulance and a lack of clean water.

Patrick Wakula, Bishop of Busoga Central Diocese and guest of honour, urged residents to use the health centre for all health-related issues, including counselling services. “Let us work together to eliminate diseases in our communities and learn to seek healthcare services at our health centres,” he said.

Over the past decade, MTN Foundation has invested over UGX 30 billion across various sectors including health, education and economic empowerment, impacting the lives of over 4 million people across the country.