A sector-wide approach to emergency obstetric care in Uganda

Purpose: 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. Findings: There were a large number of missing signal functions at health facilities and an urgent need to improve the availability of EmOC. Conclusion: 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. (c) 2005 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.