Date: Date: October 22, 2024
Location: Kampala,  Uganda
Theme me: Strengthening Community Engagement for Sustainable Maternal and Child Health

The Interfaith Pre-Safe Motherhood Conference 2024 was successfully held on October 22 at the Serena Conference Centre in Kampala, drawing participation from over 67 representatives. Attendees included key stakeholders from various religious institutions such as the Anglican Church of Uganda, Uganda Episcopal Conference (Catholic Church), Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, Orthodox Church in Uganda, and the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Uganda. Medical bureaus, faith-based organizations (FBOs) like the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA Uganda), regional health champions, civil society organizations (e.g., CARE Uganda, VSO, Naguru Youth Health Network), members of the Ministry of Health, Parliament, and various development partners, including UN agencies and bilateral partners, were also present.

 Objectives

The conference aimed to:

1. Evaluate the progress and implementation of the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) Sharpened Plan commitments for 2023/2024.

2. Advocate for enhanced policies and increased investments in RMNCAH+N initiatives for 2024/2025.

3. Share best practices and strategies among diverse faith communities to promote sustainable health initiatives.

Keynote Remarks

The Most Reverend Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, welcomed all attendees, emphasizing the critical role of faith leaders in improving maternal and child health. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health and partners, including UNFPA, ADRA, VSO, and the World Bank, for their support in making the conference a success.

In his address, Archbishop Kaziimba highlighted the theme "Strengthening Community Engagement for Sustainable Maternal and Child Health," reiterating the central importance of health for women, children, and adolescents to the future of families and communities. He commended the Ministry of Health for progress noted in the Uganda Demographic Health Survey 2024, which showed a reduction in maternal mortality rates.

Archbishop Kaziimba urged all stakeholders to address preventable health challenges, stressing that religious leaders must be advocates for health and dignity, especially for vulnerable populations. He called for a commitment to mobilize faith networks through the launch of the Inter-Faith Alliance for Health, a network aimed at advancing the well-being of Ugandans, particularly women, children, and adolescents.

Remarks from Key Stakeholders

Dr. Olaro Charles, Director of Clinical Services at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the need for holistic approaches to health, including male engagement and support for adolescent health. He acknowledged the role of religious leaders in fostering community health initiatives.

Ms. Julian Lunguzi, SRHR Coordinator at UNFPA, echoed the importance of community engagement and the pivotal role religious leaders play in addressing issues like teenage pregnancy and maternal health. She reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to supporting programs that seek to eliminate maternal deaths and improve reproductive health outcomes.

RMNCAH+N Landscape in Uganda

Dr. Dan Murokora, Reproductive and Child Health Advisor at the Ministry of Health, presented a comprehensive landscape analysis, highlighting the need for community education, skilled care during childbirth, and essential services to ensure maternal and child health. He shared key indicators, such as:

Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): 189 per 100,000 live births.

Teenage Pregnancy Rate: 24%.

HIV prevalence among females: Triple that of males.

Dr. Murokora outlined actionable steps necessary to end preventable maternal and child deaths, including improving family planning services, investing in maternal nutrition, and enhancing access to reproductive health services.

Conclusion

The Interfaith Pre-Safe Motherhood Conference marked a significant step forward in uniting faith leaders and health stakeholders to advocate for improved maternal and child health in Uganda. As participants reaffirm their commitment to the RMNCAH+N Sharpened Plan, the launch of the Inter-Faith Alliance for Health promises to create a collaborative platform for ongoing community engagement and support.

IGAD RMNCAH/FP Knowledge Management Community of Practice – Knowledge Café

Date: October 10-11th , 2024
Location: Kampala, Munyonyo  Uganda
3FHi is proud to be part of the ongoing Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health/Family Planning (RMNCAH/FP) Knowledge Management (KM) Community of Practice (CoP), a strategic knowledge-sharing initiative aimed at improving health outcomes across IGAD member states organized by Amref Kenya. 

3FHi  is facilitating an engaging Knowledge Café session under the IGAD RMNCAH/FP Knowledge Management Community of Practice, focusing on the critical intersection of Faith and Family Planning: Influencing Policy and Investments in FP and Adolescent Health. The 90-minute event, held Physically  has brought together 20 technocrats from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Djibouti, with the aim of discussing how faith and religion can play a vital role in shaping family planning (FP) and adolescent health policies.

Key Highlights:

• Guest Speaker: Shiekh Ali Waiswa  delivered a powerful testimony on the impact of faith-based perspectives on family planning, setting the stage for an in-depth discussion.
• Facilitator: Jackie Katana from 3FHi, Uganda is leading the session, guiding participants through a series of thought-provoking questions.

Key Outcomes: The session  will generate actionable points for bridging the gap between faith and policy in FP and adolescent health. Participants identified opportunities for faith leaders to become key advocates, influencing both policy and investments. Strategies were also developed for aligning religious values with public health goals, ensuring that FP initiatives remain inclusive, accessible, and sustainable.

Stay tuned for updates on the outcomes and next steps from this exciting initiative!