Every woman deserves to give birth in safety, with dignity, and with a skilled provider by her side.
In Uganda, that right is denied to far too many. Not because women do not want care, but because the care available too often falls short.
We are changing that. Working across 60 government health facilities in the Greater Masaka region, we build health systems that treat every patient as a rights-holder — not a passive recipient.
WHAT WE MEAN BY “QUALITY CARE”
Quality care is not a luxury. It is a fundamental right — and one that is systematically withheld from the most vulnerable women in Uganda. When a woman arrives at a health facility in labor, she should find:
A skilled, confident midwife trained in evidence-based practice
Essential medicines, supplies, and blood transfusion services
24-hour access to emergency obstetric and caesarean services
A respectful environment free from discrimination or abuse
Information and the right to make informed decisions about her care
“During the ANC visits, the BAMA staff explained to me why it’s important to deliver in a health centre. And I am so grateful I did. I would’ve died at home because of the complications I experienced during labour.”
HOW BAMA IMPROVES QUALITY OF CARE: THE BAMA CORE PROGRAM
BAMA's Core Program directly addresses the Third Delay — the delay in receiving quality care at a health facility. This is where most preventable maternal and newborn deaths occur.
Rather than operating in parallel to the government health system, we work from within it. Our team of 60 Mentor Midwives and Physicians trains and mentors over 500 colleagues across our partner facilities, building lasting institutional knowledge that does not disappear when a project ends.
Our Quality Improvement Model Includes:
In-service training and skills development for midwives and clinical officers
Establishment and equipping of Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) — three now operational, with a 97% survival rate
Supply chain strengthening to ensure lifesaving medicines are available around the clock
Data-driven quality monitoring so facilities can respond to problems in real time
Respectful maternity care standards that uphold women's dignity and autonomy
PATIENT RIGHTS AT THE HEART OF OUR WORK
BAMA champions a rights-based approach to maternal and newborn health. This means every woman we serve has the right to:
Be seen by a skilled provider, regardless of her ability to pay
Receive clear, compassionate information about her pregnancy and labour
Make informed decisions about her own body and birth
Be treated with respect — free from disrespect, abuse, or neglect
Access emergency services, including caesarean section, when needed