Mulago Specialized Women & Neonatal Hospital has achieved significant advancements in fertility treatment and neonatal care, according to Dr. Evelyn Nabunya, the Executive Director of the facility.
Addressing Parliament’s Health Committee while presenting the Hospital’s 2025/26 Budget Framework Paper, Dr. Nabunya highlighted key developments in the hospital’s services.
Fertility Treatment Services Launched
The hospital has begun offering fertility treatment services, marking a new chapter in reproductive healthcare in Uganda. Dr. Nabunya revealed that 11 women are currently undergoing mock embryo transfer cycles, an essential preparatory step in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process. These cycles help medical professionals and patients familiarize themselves with the procedure, improving outcomes.
“Two women have successfully become pregnant following this procedure,” Dr. Nabunya stated, signaling a positive start for the government-backed fertility program.
Neonatal Care Successes
Over the past six months, the hospital has handled 858 neonates, including preterm babies and those with low birth weights. Of these, 32.9% were preterm, and 75 weighed below 1kg. The survival rates for these vulnerable infants have been encouraging:
- Babies weighing less than 1kg had a survival rate of 59.1%.
- Those between 1-1.4kg achieved a survival rate of 79.4%.
- Babies in the 1.5-2.4kg range had an 87.3% survival rate.
Dr. Nabunya noted that the survival rate for normal-weight babies was slightly lower due to the critical condition of many infants referred from other facilities.
“Our smallest surviving baby was born at 24 weeks, weighing just 500 grams. Today, that baby is a healthy 2-and-a-half-year-old,” she shared. The hospital’s vigilance in managing complications such as retinopathy of prematurity, a condition that can cause blindness in preterm babies, has been instrumental in such success stories.
Challenges and Commitment
Despite the successes, the hospital continues to face challenges in managing referrals from other hospitals, including Kawempe National Referral Hospital and private facilities. Many babies arrive in critical condition, necessitating advanced care.
Dr. Nabunya praised her team’s dedication, emphasizing their role in improving neonatal outcomes. “These milestones are a testament to the expertise and commitment of our medical staff,” she said.
As the hospital moves forward, the focus remains on expanding access to fertility treatments and enhancing neonatal care, ensuring that more families can experience the joy of healthy births and thriving infants.