The race for a healthier Uganda will take on a deeper meaning on October 4 when the Independence Marathon brings together runners, fitness enthusiasts and corporate partners in a drive to help save mothers’ lives. Last Saturday, September 19, preparations for the inaugural marathon gathered momentum with hundreds of participants turning up for a build-up activation at Metroplex Shopping Mall in Naalya. But beyond the running and celebration of Uganda’s Independence, organisers are placing maternal health at the centre of the event. Funds raised through the marathon will support the establishment of a modern cold storage facility at the Mengo Rotary Blood Bank, aimed at increasing the capacity to process and preserve safe blood for mothers and other patients requiring lifesaving transfusions. The initiative targets one of the critical challenges in maternal healthcare, with postpartum haemorrhage remaining a leading cause of maternal mortality in Uganda. Franco Ariho, who is in charge of blood donation at Mengo Hospital, said improving blood storage capacity could help prevent deaths that occur when lifesaving blood is not readily available. “Postpartum haemorrhage remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in Uganda, yet many of these deaths are preventable when safe blood is available,” Ariho said. He urged Ugandans to embrace regular voluntary blood donation, noting that a single donation has the potential to save multiple lives. The 2022 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) provides a strong statistical backdrop for the marathon’s maternal-health campaign. The survey estimated Uganda’s maternal mortality ratio at 189 deaths per 100,000 live births for the seven-year period preceding the survey. This represented a substantial decline from 336 deaths per 100,000 live births recorded in the 2016 UDHS, although the figure still means that roughly two women die for every 1,000 live births from pregnancy- or childbirthrelated causes, excluding accidental or violent deaths. The UDHS 2022 also reported that maternal deaths accounted for 14 per cent of all deaths among women aged 15–49 during the seven-year period before the survey. These figures underline why improving access to safe blood and strengthening storage capacity remain important components of efforts to prevent avoidable maternal deaths. Robert Kabushenga, the marathon’s organiser, described the event as a platform where fitness, patriotism and social responsibility converge. He encouraged participants to report to Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, by 6 am on October 4. Registration kits are available at Shs 70,000, with registration accessible through FlexiPay, MTN MoMo and Airtel Money. All finishers will receive commemorative medals. Headline sponsor Stanbic Bank Uganda said its involvement reflects its Corporate Social Investment strategy and Positive Impact Agenda. Diana Ondoga, the bank’s corporate social investment manager, said the bank chose to support the marathon because of its focus on postpartum haemorrhage and safe motherhood. “Safe motherhood is one of Stanbic’s key impact areas because no woman should lose her life while giving life,” Ondoga said. The marathon is co-sponsored by TMR Hospital, Old Mutual and the Ministry of Health. With the event expected to become an annual fixture ahead of Uganda’s Independence celebrations, organisers hope the October 4 race will strengthen blood storage infrastructure and helping more mothers access lifesaving care when they need it most.The post Preps for maternal health marathon pick up tempo appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.