Mbale — A new health report on reproductive health in Mbale District has revealed that 59 per cent of expectant mothers deliver at home.

This leaves only 41 per cent of the mothers who deliver in hospitals. The public health officer, Ms Jennifer Wandawa, said long distances from health centres and lack of ambulances are some of the causes of low deliveries in hospitals.

"Although we register up to 85 per cent of antenatal attendances in all health facilities, deliveries are still low, with expectant mothers delivering at home with the help of traditioanl birth attendants," she said last week. Ms Wandawa said although there is lack of medical equipment and drugs in some health units, there is also low utilisation of reproductive health services and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/Aids. She urged the district to join in sensitising the community about the importance of delivering in health facilities.