Ugandan correspondent scoops media fellowship on sexual health and human rights

Key Correspondent James Odong is taking up the challenge to raise issues of maternal health in his community.

A Ugandan Key Correspondent has won a media fellowship with the Center for Health, Human Rights and Development to help address the issue of preventable maternal mortality.

The maternal mortality rate in Uganda is 438 for every 100,000 live births. According to a report issued by the Ugandan Ministry of Health, 16 women die of preventable maternal health causes in Uganda every day, including around five deaths due to unsafe abortion.

Key Correspondent James Odong said: “Access to healthcare is a matter of human rights and this situation is unacceptable with around 6,000 mothers dying every year from preventable causes. This fellowship is a challenge to me to raise issues of maternal health in my community, give voice to the voiceless mothers and call on leaders to address issues of maternal health by ensuring that all health centres are fully equipped.”

Reporting on maternal mortality

The Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) is in its second year of working as the secretariat of the Coalition to Stop Maternal Mortality due to unsafe abortion.

To support this work CEHURD is running a one-year program mentoring Ugandan journalists to develop their skills for reporting on issues concerning sexual and reproductive health, and human rights.

The coalition is multi-disciplinary and comprises 25 organisations. It is committed to ending unsafe abortion by: improving laws and policies; increasing access to safe services for prevention and management of unwanted pregnancy; and reducing the stigma associated with abortion.