Apac, Uganda | 29th July 2025 – The Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, has issued a strong appeal to pregnant women in Apac District to abandon home deliveries and utilize health facilities for childbirth. Her call comes amidst concerning statistics revealing a high rate of births attended by traditional midwives in villages.
Dr. Aceng delivered the message on Tuesday during the launch of a major medical camp at Atar Health Centre II in Abeli Parish, Apac Sub-County. The camp was organized by Bernard Otim, the NRM flag bearer contesting for the Maruzi County North MP seat.
The Minister's plea was prompted by alarming data presented by the Apac District Health Officer, Dr. James Odongo. "Dr. Odongo reported that many women in Apac are still giving birth in the villages and relying on traditional midwives," Dr. Aceng stated. She revealed a stark figure: "fourty-five percent of women in Apac give birth outside Health facilities. This is bad for the rest, meaning it's detrimental to maternal and child health outcomes."
Emphasizing the risks, Dr. Aceng directly addressed expectant mothers: "I told pregnant mothers to always seek medical assistance when pregnant. Giving birth in a health facility with skilled attendants is crucial for the safety of both mother and baby."
Alongside the health directive, Dr. Aceng issued specific orders to local administrators concerning medical logistics. She instructed the Apac Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and District Health Officer (DHO) to ensure a government-provilled ambulance designated for the people of Maruzi North is permanently stationed within that constituency for prompt emergency response.
Dr. Aceng also voiced political support for the camp's organizer. She rallied the people of Maruzi County North to elect Bernard Otim as their Member of Parliament, describing him as a "strong and development-oriented person."
The medical camp, facilitated significantly by the India Women Association (IWA), aims to provide vital services over three days.
Falguni Patel, representing the IWA, announced an ambitious target: "Within the three days that the health camp will be in Atar, we will work on more than 5000 patients." Services offered include critical screenings for cervical cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and treatment for various other diseases.
Bernard Otim expressed deep gratitude to Dr. Aceng and the India Women Association for their support to the people of Maruzi North. Leveraging the Minister's presence, Otim appealed to Apac residents with relatives in Lira City to vote for Dr. Aceng in her parliamentary contest, stating this would enable them to "work together in parliament and bring more development to Lango."
Many patients who received medical assistance on the camp's first day thanked Bernard Otim for initiating the outreach. Several reportedly promised him their votes in the 2026 parliamentary elections, citing the camp as evidence of his commitment to community development and healthcare access.