On the 29th of January , 2016, the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioner’s Council ( UMDPC) delivered its decision in the maternal health case of the late Anguko Jennifer ( Mr. Inziku Valente’s
late wife – a Petitioner in Constitutional Petition No.16 of 2011) that lost her life at Arua Regional Referral Hospital in October, 2010.

After the death of the late Anguko, the Ministry of Health was moved by the Woman MP for Arua district to investigate the uncertain death of the late Anguko. The Ministry of Health then directed the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioner’s Council (UMDPC) to conduct an investigation.

In 2012, UMDPC held an inquiry into the death of the late Anguko at Arua Regional Referral Hospital where relevant people and hospital staff were examined on the circumstances that led to the death of the late Anguko. CEHURD was invited for the inquiry and since 2012, CEHURD was following
up the matter.

A summary of UMDPC’s decision is highlighted below;

• The intervention to save the life of the late Anguko was delayed . The delay was caused by a number of factors namely ; (1) Midwife did not get the doctor who was supposed to be on duty (2) there were low staffing levels that day – the midwife was overwhelmed to handle three emergencies at the same time (3) the doctor on duty did not know that he was on duty and Hospital director did not know who was on duty that day
• The midwife did not use the standards used to monitor progress of an expectant mother -pantograph was not used.
• The Hospital administration failed its duty to ensure that the duty roster is available and known to the hospital staff. A serious caution to the Hospital Director is to be issued.
• The doctor that was on call that day did not know that he was on duty and when he was called by the head of department he came urgently to handle the case of the late Anguko.
• The Ministry of Health was urged to ensure that Arua Regional Referral Hospital is well equipped to serve its purpose as a regional referral hospital.
• The issues relating to the nurses/ midwives were referred to the Uganda Nurses and Midwifes Council for investigation.

Download a full report of findings and decisions decision here.