A sector-wide approach to emergency obstetric care in Uganda.
OBJECTIVE
To establish a baseline for the availability, utilization, and quality of EmOC, and to help develop an operational strategy based on the findings.


METHODS
A needs assessment of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) was carried out in 197 health facilities in 19 out of 56 districts in Uganda, covering 38% of the total population.


RESULTS
There were a large number of missing signal functions at health facilities and an urgent need to improve the availability of EmOC.


CONCLUSIONS
By using the data from the assessment, it was possible to influence national policy through the health sector-wide approach (SWAp) and place EmOC high on the national agenda. A national strategy and roll out plan to strengthen EmOC is now in place.
Orinda
V
V
UNICEF, Kampala, Uganda. vorinda@unicef.org
Kakande
H
H
Kabarangira
J
J
Nanda
G
G
Mbonye
A K
AK
D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D014454:Uganda