Many mothers all over Uganda continue to give birth to children with spina bifida and hyrocephalus. Research has shown that 70% of these impairments can be prevented by increased intake of folic acid supplementation, eating food rich in folic acid like fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, meat, and liver, among others and eating foods that have been fortified with folic acid.

Women with children living with hydrocephalus and spina bifida know it very well that 95% of pregnancies are not planned for and this brings in the importance of taking a folic acid tablet a day to prevent some of these birth defects.

The parents through their stakeholders have tried to raise awareness and urge mothers to eat food rich in folic acid and swallow a folic acid tablet every day.

However, the issues of fortification require a law to be passed on mandatory food fortification so that it becomes a law that can be implemented by all the industries. This will make the majority of the population enjoy foods rich in folic acid and other preventive methods can compliment it. This will help to greatly reduce the prevalence rate like the case has been in South Africa and many other countries that have mandatory food fortification.

I would also request for the improvement in the health care system because many children acquire hydrocephalus at birth because of poor health service delivery. If more attention is paid to children and mothers at birth, then we shall register fewer cases of hydrocephalus,

The cost of treatment is far greater than the cost of prevention. Spina bifida and hydrocephalus patients require long life care which is very expensive compared to the preventive methods. It is our appeal that we all join hands to reduce the increase in number

of children born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus through massive sensitization in the media and enacting a law on compulsory food fortification like other countries have done.

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Hydrocephalus is treated surgically either by draining the excessive fluids into the abdomen by placing a special tube called a drain or a shunt. It is also possible to create a natural by-pass, without using a shunt using a process called endoscopic surgery.

These procedures are done in CURE Hospital in Mbale distric. Both spina bifida (Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not form properly around part of the baby’s spinal cord) and hydrocephalus require life long care and surgical intervention is only the first step.

Adequate surgery is the start of a broader package of total multidisciplinary care, engaging other professionals, parents and the child itself.

With proper support, most children and adults can learn to overcome problems, gain confidence in them selves and go on to live full and independent lives.

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Prevention of further damage to bladder and kidneys can be achieved through routine catheterization to fully empty the patient’s bladder. This procedure called Clean intermittent Catheterization [CIC] can be taught to children from four or five years of age and to parents. A tube is inserted through the patient’s vagina or penis up to the bladder to draw out the urine.

With the CIC knowledge and equipments, spina bifida (Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not form properly around part of the baby’s spinal cord) patients can become dry and infection free, thus allowing for greater inclusion in everyday life.

In addition, patients with paralysis need special care to prevent secondary impairments and complications such as pressure sores. They need to regularly change their sitting positions, use good seat cushions and braces and shoes that fit properly and are checked on a regular basis.

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Spina bifida is one of the most common congenital birth defects, affecting one in every 1000 live births globally according to revelations by Dr Michael Muhumuza, the Acting Head of the Neurosurgical Unit at Mulago Hospital.

This condition is common in low income countries due to their limited or lack of consumption of foods with folic acid by pregnant women.

The spina bifida is caused by a fault in the development of the central nervous system in the first 25 days of a pregnancy.

The spinal cord and vertebrae do not form completely and the neural tube fails to develop normally. Because of these defects, people born with spina bifida usually have some degree of paralysis which affects their mobility as well as their bowel and bladder control.

Infants born with spina bifida -need surgical closure of the spine, and rehabilitation services of physiotherapists, continence nurses, and occupational therapists to manage the effects of the paralysis such as difficulties in walking and incontinence. Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not form properly around part of the baby’s spinal cord. It can be like a sac of water at any point on the back of the baby or an open sore. In severe cases, it can make walking or daily activities hard to do without help. Many people with it depend on assistive devices such as wheel chairs, walking sticks and calipers.

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The study which was conducted by World Vision early this year indicates that every month monthly close to 20 women are delivered by Traditional Birth Attendants down from 10 recorded last year in the districts of Nakasongola ,Oyamu, Kitigumu and Gulu.

The regional advocacy coordinator for World Vision Isaac Eju says this has come as a result of the limited number of midwives in health facilities.

He says the preference for traditional birth attendants has also partly contributed to increased cases of maternal and child deaths in these areas.

 The study is recommending an increase in the number of health workers in health centers 3 and 4 so as to motive expectant mothers to deliver from hospitals.

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Causes of cord accidents or obstructed labour that is to say the baby gets stuck on its way either because it is too big or the mother’s bones are too narrow.

There is also umbilical cord prolapse-this is when part of the cord drops out of the birth canal especially when ‘waters’ break through, and knotting of the umbilical cord.

Knotting of the umbilical cord is fairly common in low developing countries like Uganda and happens in early pregnancy when the foetus has a lot of room to move around in the amniotic sac!

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Having a good diet helps us to prevent spinal bifida. This is the most common of a group of birth defects in Uganda and around the world known as neutral tube defects.

Neural tube defects affect the central nervous system that is the brain and spinal cord. The cause of this defect, according to the experts in World Health Organisation (WHO) is lack of enough folic acid during the process of the baby’s development in the womb.

But folic acids can be obtained from locally available foods and  vegetables such as cabbages, soya, mushrooms, ovacado, fresh bananas, ground nuts,  liver, spinach, doddo, pumpkin leaves and fresh vegetables.

According to medical experts 70% of cases of neural tube defects could be prevented by adequate intake of folic acid immediately before and in early pregnancy.

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Terrible! Uganda government is set to fine women and girls who give birth at their homes. The move is intended to quash the trend of women who shun hospitals during pregnancy.

The leaders of Adjumani district in northern Uganda explain that the law has been made because many women experience unsafe deliveries in their homes.

According to the new law, the women and their male partners would both be penalized. However, sections of Ugandans have criticised the move saying that some pregnant women walk over 30 miles to reach nearby health facilities.

Nixon Owole, the district chairperson of Adjumani says the law has been put in place to force women to utilise the health facilities. He added that the law is meant to promote safe deliveries in the country.

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Buganda Lukiiko members have asked the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II to produce the mother of the new born prince, Richard Semakokiro.

The Lukiiko members (supreme Buganda kingdom organ) told the Katikkiro of Buganda JB Walusimbi to ask the Kabaka to produce the mother of the new born prince because millions of people across the world want to know her details.

The members of the lukiiko demanded this on Monday after Katikkiro Walusimbi officially announced to Buganda Lukiiko (parliament) the birth of Semakokiro. The new born prince is the second son of the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi.

Richard Ssemakookiro was born last year. Other children of Kabaka Mutebi are Jjunju Ssuuna Kiweewa, and Princesses; Joan Nassolo , Victoria Nkinzi and Sarah Katrina Sangalyambogo.

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Following the publication of a photograph of a woman who the editorial team of the New Vision Group believed at the time to be the mother of the new born Buganda prince, Richard Semakookiro, the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II has asked all people in Uganda and across the world to stop the talk on the new born prince.

Speaking through his Katikkiro (prime minister), Eng. John Baptist Walusimbi, the Kabaka said that the full details about the new born prince and its mother would be revealed at the right time.

The Kabaka says that since the Katikkiro announced the birth of the new prince, several media houses, radio panelists and people on social networks like facebook have written literature and uttered statements that belittle the traditions, norms and virtues ofBugandakingdom. The Kabaka says that although he is a king a remains an individual who has a right to privacy. He says that it is improper for news publications like the New Vision, Bukedde Newspaper, Bukedde TV and all their sister organisations to write lies and belittling stories about the Kingdom of Buganda and the royal family in Buganda.

On January 24, 2012 the Chief Executive Officer of the New Vision Group, Robert Kabushenga authorised the publication of a photograph of a woman, and stated that she was the mother of Prince Richard Ssemakookiro.

Kabushenga apologised to the audiences across the country and the world at large for the mistake and regreted any inconveniences caused to the woman in the picture.

He stated that this was an error of judgment for which he took full responsibility. The Kabaka through his Katikkiro has said that all the information the New Vision and her sister media houses have been publishing concerning the looks of the mother of prince Semakookiro are false.

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