Maternal and newborn health remains one of the most pressing challenges in Uganda, with maternal mortality rates at 189 per 100,000 live births (UDHS 2022), far from the global target of 70 per 100,000 by 2030. Despite efforts to improve antenatal care (ANC), many maternal deaths occur even after women attend the recommended four ANC visits. Key risks, such as pre-eclampsia and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), often go undetected or unmanaged, leading to preventable deaths. Similarly, perinatal deaths remain a significant concern, with Uganda recording an estimated 25,473 perinatal deaths annually. In districts like Kasese, only 25% of perinatal deaths were audited within the required timeframe, leaving critical gaps in accountability and response. 

Faced with these challenges, Enabel in partnership with the Ministry of Health implemented innovative solutions to strengthen health systems, build capacity, and improve accountability mechanisms. Through targeted training and mentorship programs, 166 health workers were trained in emergency maternal and newborn care, leading to an 80% increase in skilled deliveries and significant improvements in early referrals and fetal monitoring. 

To address gaps in antenatal care, Enabel supported the establishment of Antenatal Care  High-Risk Clinics in Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) sites. These clinics focused on early identification and management of high-risk pregnancies, resulting in ANC risk screening increasing from 0% to 80%, ANC attendance and birth preparedness rising by 74% (from 1,936 to 2,599), and maternal deaths reducing from 3 to 1, while fresh stillbirths dropped from 7 to 1. 

In addition to capacity building, Enabel introduced innovative accountability systems, such as Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (PDSR), to improve the auditing and response to perinatal deaths. By implementing digital tools, weekly data tracking, and stakeholder engagement, the project ensured timely and actionable responses to perinatal deaths, creating scalable, low-cost solutions that can be replicated in other districts. 

These transformative efforts were recognized at the European Congress on Tropical Medicine and International Health (ECTMIH 2025), held in Hamburg, Germany, where Enabel won two prestigious awards on best poster on "Strengthening accountability mechanisms to improve maternal health outcomes: Establishment of ANC high-risk clinics in CEMONC sites in the Rwenzori region, Uganda" which highlighted the impact of training, mentorship, and accountability mechanisms in improving maternal and newborn health outcomes.  

The second award, for Best Poster on award on Equity and Equality , Showcasing impact of quality of care, risk identification retention to care and response, was won in partnership with Babies and Mothers Alive (BAMA), celebrating the integration of digital solutions into maternal health systems to ensure better data tracking, accountability, and decision-making.  

Enabel’s success at ECTMIH 2025 demonstrates how capacity building, accountability, and digital innovation can drive meaningful change in global health. By empowering health workers, strengthening accountability systems, and leveraging digital tools, Enabel is reducing preventable deaths and improving health outcomes for mothers and newborns in Uganda and beyond. This recognition is not just a celebration of past achievements but a call to continue advancing global health for all.  

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