Uganda's Midwives on the Brink: Burnout Looms Amidst Critical Staffing Shortages

Midwives across Uganda are sounding the alarm over unsustainable workloads, warning of impending burnout as the number of women seeking maternal health services continues to rise faster than the available staff can manage.

Annet Evelyn Kanyuyuzi, President of the National Midwives Association of Uganda, highlighted the vital role midwives play on the front lines of maternal and newborn care. However, she noted that many are suffering from physical and psychological strain due to acute staffing shortages. “Many midwives are suffering from occupational hazards. Their backs are broken, their knees are worn out, and many are affected psychologically because of the heavy workload,” Kanyuyuzi stated during International Day of the Midwife celebrations in Moroto.

Evelyne Kyomugisha, Commissioner for Nursing and Midwifery at the Ministry of Health, acknowledged the severe inadequacy, with some health centers seeing a single midwife handle up to 80 deliveries monthly. This immense pressure affects midwives’ well-being and family lives, as they often sacrifice personal time to attend to urgent cases.

Stephen Pande, Director of Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, indicated that the facility alone needs over 80 additional midwives, and the Karamoja sub-region requires more than 1,000 to meet the demand. While international partners like UNFPA are providing support for training and equipment, there’s a call for government action to fill vacant positions.

Despite these efforts, many trained midwives remain unemployed and not on the government payroll, while health facilities grapple with insufficient staffing. Kristine Blokhus, UNFPA Representative in Uganda, emphasized that investing in midwives is a cost-effective strategy for universal health coverage.

In response, the government has announced plans to recruit 16,963 health workers, including midwives, in the upcoming financial year. However, current statistics paint a stark picture: Uganda’s maternal mortality ratio stands at 189 deaths per 100,000 live births, and a single Ugandan midwife handles an average of 500 deliveries annually, significantly exceeding the WHO’s recommended limit of 175.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)