Kampala — MINISTRY of Health, in conjunction with Marie Stopes Uganda, has launched the Reproductive Health Voucher Project in western Uganda to provide health services at subsidised fees.

One of the services is safe delivery, where each expectant mother will pay only sh3,000 for antenatal care, basic and emergency obstetric care, post-natal care and family planning (optional) by a skilled birth attendant. Transport for emergency cases from one facility to another will also be covered by the voucher.

The project was launched by the state minister of health, Richard Nduhuura at Lake View Resort Hotel in Mbarara, recently. It will be conducted in 22 districts in the western region, targeting poor rural women.

Richard Ssemujju, the programme director Marie Stopes Uganda, said the beneficiary districts are; Rakai, Lyantonde, Sembabule, Mbarara, Kiruhura, Ibanda, Isingiro, Ntungamo, Bushenyi, Kamwenge, Kyenjojo, Kabarole, Rukungiri, Kabale, Kasese, Kanungu, Kisoro, Kibaale, Bundibugyo, Buliisa, Masindi and Hoima.

The three-year project aims at providing Safe Delivery Services for 110,000 pregnancies.

Nduhuura said maternal mortality has decreased from 505 to 435 deaths per 100,000 live births.