Conference Abstract | Volume 8, Abstract NACNDC/19JASH049 (Poster) | Published:  06 Dec 2025

Roll out of new and lesser-used medicine for postpartum haemorrhage in Uganda, a case study of the Rwenzori region, September 2024–May 2025

Lawrence Tumusiime1, 2, &, Jostas Mwebembezi1, Sylvia Atuhairwe1

1Rwenzori Centre for Research Advocacy, Kasese, Uganda, 2Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Kampala, Uganda

&Corresponding author: Lawrence Tumusiime, Rwenzori Centre for Research Advocacy, Kasese, Uganda Email: ltumusiime@uniph.go.ug, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8348-9901

Received: 11 Sep 2025, Accepted: 20 Oct 2025, Published: 06 Dec 2025

Domain: Maternal Health

This is part of the Proceedings of the National Annual Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases Conference (NACNDC) and 19th Joint Annual Scientific Health (JASH) Conference 2025

Keywords: Heat-stable, carbetocin, postpartum, haemorrhage, tranexamic acid

©Lawrence Tumusiime et al. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health (ISSN: 2664-2824). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Cite this article: Lawrence Tumusiime et al., Roll out of new and lesser-used medicine for postpartum haemorrhage in Uganda, a case study of the Rwenzori region, September 2024–May 2025. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2025;8(ConfProc6):041. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO6-00041

Introduction

In 2028, WHO recommended the use of heat-stable carbetocin (HSC) and tranexamic acid (TXA) for  Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) prevention and management, respectively. In Uganda, PPH contributes 34% of the maternal deaths. Despite the high PPH prevalence in Uganda, the use of these commodities is very minimal. We rolled out HSC and TXA in Rwenzori region to increase access to life-saving medicines for PPH, to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality rates.

Methods

The project was implemented from September 2023–May 2024. The implementation took place in 9 districts and one city of the Rwenzori region, which included Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu, Fort Portal City, Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kasese, Kitagwenda, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, and Ntoroko, with activities implemented at the regional, district, and facility levels. We conducted a regional inception meeting with relevant stakeholders, trained regional trainers to re-orient participants with the basics on PPH, HSC, and TXA. Conducted facility-based mentorship on supply chain strengthening, PPH, HSC, and TXA, and conducted joint supportive supervision.

Results

Conducted a one-day inception meeting, attended by 52 stakeholders from districts and Ministry of Health. The stakeholders were taken through their respective roles in the project, and they pledged their commitment to support the project. Conducted a 5-days training of 50 regional trainers with 5 participants from each district. Conducted a 2-day facility based mentorship at each of the 136 health facilities, and mentored 1370 health workers. Conducted targeted supportive supervision covering 20 health facilities. 684,300 women received PPH prevention and care services, and 3780 women received HSC or HSC and TXA for PPH prevention and treatment.

Conclusion

The project was successfully implemented, with the success attributed to the great engagement and involvement of relevant stakeholders at all levels. We recommend scale-up of HSC and TXA implementation nationwide, and continued training for healthcare providers.

 

Menu

Keywords

  • Heat-stable
  • Carbetocin
  • Postpartum
  • Haemorrhage
  • Tranexamic acid
Views: 332