Health experts launch enhanced postnatal care programme for new mothers and infants

KAMPALA - Health experts have launched an enhanced postnatal care programme aimed at strengthening support for new mothers and infants using the social media platform WhatsApp.

The platform brings together expectant mothers and new mothers together with health experts, combining specialised medical services with community-based follow-up to address Uganda’s persistent maternal and newborn health challenges.

C-Care-IHK hospital affirmed its commitment to maternal and child health by scaling up programmes that prepare women for pregnancy, delivery and the critical postnatal period.

Speaking at the initiative dubbed ‘Mom Getaway’ on Saturday at C-Care -IHK, Dr. Mariam Mutero, the General Manager of C-Care, said the healthcare provider has invested in holistic approaches that address both the physical and emotional needs of mothers and their babies.

“We support mothers through initiatives such as the Mums Squad and our Saturday antenatal classes, where families openly discuss expectations throughout pregnancy and delivery. Our aim is to ensure that by the time a mother comes to deliver, she is confident, informed and fully prepared for the journey ahead,” Dr. Mutero said.

She emphasised that quality care must continue beyond childbirth. As part of the enhanced programme, C-Care is positioning itself as a super-specialised paediatric centre, allowing families to access advanced child health services under one roof.

The facility now hosts paediatric cardiologists, gastroenterologists, surgeons and neurologists to ensure timely and comprehensive care for newborns and children.

“We have deliberately invested in paediatric super-specialists so that any child who needs support can receive it promptly,” Dr. Mutero said, adding that this reduces delays in care and the need for referrals outside the country.

Complementing C-Care’s clinical services is MomSquad, a mother–child support initiative run by IHK that provides continuous guidance before and after childbirth.

According to Lysandra Idduso, the Marketing Manager at IHK, the programme was designed to ensure mothers are not left to navigate early motherhood alone.

“MomSquad is a bi-annual event, but more importantly, it is an ongoing support system for both new and experienced mothers,” Idduso explained. “It brings together mothers who have delivered at IHK and those who have not, because support should be inclusive.”

A core feature of MomSquad is a WhatsApp support group linking mothers directly to midwives and fellow parents, offering real-time advice on common newborn concerns.

The hospital also runs weekly Saturday online classes led by gynaecologists and support staff, making professional postnatal guidance accessible regardless of location.

The enhanced programme also includes an appreciation initiative dubbed ‘Mom Getaway’, offering selected mothers a fully paid three-day retreat at Whispers on the Nile in Jinja, complete with midwife support to promote postnatal recovery.

The initiative comes against a backdrop of sobering national data. According to the 2023 Situation Analysis of National Newborn Health in Uganda, the country records about 62,000 deaths annually around the time of birth, including maternal deaths, stillbirths and neonatal deaths.

With an estimated 1.7 million births each year and 250,000 newborns requiring specialised care, experts say expanded postnatal support is critical.

Health professionals note that Uganda must accelerate investments in postnatal and neonatal care to meet national and global targets.

Programmes that combine specialised medical services with community-based support, such as those launched by C-Care and IHK, are increasingly seen as vital in improving survival and long-term health outcomes for mothers and infants.