Health 1 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda's Healthcare Crisis: Women Giving Birth Without Clean Water
Every two seconds globally, a woman gives birth in a facility lacking clean water, with Uganda facing severe shortages where only 31% of health centers have basic water services. Urgent investments in WASH infrastructure and policy implementation are needed to protect mothers and newborns from preventable infections. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/commentary/no-woman-should-give-birth-without-clean-water-5410762
Every two seconds worldwide, a woman delivers her baby in a healthcare facility without access to clean water, proper toilets, or basic hygiene measures. WaterAid’s recent ‘Born Without Water’ report exposes this alarming reality, putting millions of mothers and newborns at risk of deadly infections right at birth.
In Uganda, the situation is dire: only 31% of healthcare facilities offer basic water services, according to WHO/Unicef data. This leaves nearly 70% of facilities without reliable water, especially in rural areas, forcing health workers to operate under impossible conditions.
Without consistent water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), infection control fails. Midwives can’t wash hands properly, mothers face heightened sepsis risks, and newborn mortality climbs. Trust in the health system suffers as a result.
Uganda has policies and committed health workers, but the divide between commitments and reality persists. Facilities still lack functional toilets, handwashing stations, and dependable water supplies.
Solutions demand sustained funding, accountability, and integrating WASH into health planning. Governments and partners must prioritize building and maintaining infrastructure to make safe care a reality.
The ‘Time to Deliver’ campaign urges leaders to act, ensuring every facility is equipped. Uganda can lead by bridging this critical gap.
*Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda), by WaterAid Uganda Country Director Joyce Mpalanyi Mgala.