Kampala District MP, Shamim Malende, has called on the government to eliminate taxes on maternity products to ensure every mother can afford essential supplies during childbirth.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) legislator made this appeal while donating mama kits to underprivileged mothers at Kibuli Mosque.
Malende emphasized the critical need for these products to be accessible and affordable to all mothers, particularly those in economically disadvantaged communities.
“Maternity products should not be a luxury but a necessity that every mother can easily access. Removing taxes would significantly reduce the cost and ease the financial burden on families during childbirth,” MP Malende stated during the event.
Her donation of mama kits, which include essential items like sterile gloves, cotton wool, and baby clothing, aimed to support mothers who might otherwise struggle to afford these supplies.
Her remarks follow the increased cases of maternal mortality rates.
Recently,Anifa Kawooya, Minister of State for Health (General Duties), admitted that the Government is aware that the rate at which mothers are dying is growing countrywide and it is not growing because of the negligence of the Ministry of Health, but blamed some maternal deaths on the failure by the expectant mothers to report to hospitals on time.
The call for tax removal on maternity products aligns with Malende’s broader advocacy for maternal health and welfare.