Taking the Message on the Road: BAMA’s Digital Van Spreads Awareness on PPH
In the lead-up to Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) Commemoration Day, Babies and Mothers Alive (BAMA), in partnership with the Ministry of Health, brought innovation to the streets of Uganda. A digital van equipped with large screens traveled through busy towns and markets, projecting powerful messages about the dangers of excessive bleeding after childbirth, how it can be prevented, and stories from mothers and families.
Turning Markets into Classrooms
The van made rounds in Lwengo, Mbirizi, Masaka Central Market, Nyendo Town, and Katovu Cow Market in Kyazanga. As the sun went down, ordinary evenings turned into extraordinary learning moments. Crowds gathered around the brightly lit screens, listening to real-life stories, watching health tips, and engaging with information about postpartum hemorrhage.
For many, it was their very first time hearing about PPH in such a public and interactive way. Market vendors paused their trade, boda boda riders parked their bikes, and pregnant women gathered to watch and ask questions.
“This van has helped us learn things we did not know. We usually think bleeding is normal after giving birth, but today we learned that too much bleeding is dangerous and can kill a mother,” shared a community member in Nyendo Town, Masaka City.
Why This Matters
The purpose of the digital van was clear:
Raise awareness among men, women, and young people about the dangers and warning signs of PPH.
Highlight the importance of delivering at a health facility.
Introduce more people to BAMA’s work, showing that maternal health is everyone’s concern and that communities have a role to play in saving mothers’ lives.
Innovation Meets Community
The digital van became more than just a moving screen — it became a moving classroom. By blending modern technology with local gathering spaces, BAMA and the Ministry of Health were able to reach wide audiences in a way that was engaging, memorable, and community-driven.
This approach demonstrated that awareness saves lives. When communities are informed about the risks of postpartum hemorrhage, they become powerful allies in the fight against maternal deaths.
