Champion Experience

‘As a Champion Midwife, I witnessed lives saved and sepsis rates fall by 80%’

At Katakwi General Hospital in Eastern Uganda, maternal sepsis was once a persistent challenge. With 120 caesarean deliveries each quarter, 12% of mothers developed sepsis post-surgery. In 2024, the hospital was introduced to the Active Prevention and Treatment of Sepsis (APT-Sepsis) intervention program supported by Infectious Diseases Institute, Uganda.

Champions were trained offsite for four-days then they led the two-day onsite training sessions for all maternity care providers. The in-charge maternity ward Sister Jane had witnessed mothers develop infections after caesarean deliveries,

“It was painful to see mothers suffer when we knew something could be done,” she recalls.

After training she led changes and took pride in ensuring every mother received proper surgical site preparation and timely antibiotics with 15-60 minutes before incision.

 “Now, we don’t rush. Every step matters,” she says.

Her confidence grew with the Modified Early Obstetric Warning System (MEOWS) chart. One evening, while reviewing a patient’s chart, she noticed subtle warning signs. Acting quickly, she and her team initiated the FAST-M bundle.  Within an hour, the mother stabilized.

“That moment showed me the power of the FAST-M treatment. We saved her life,” Jane shares with pride.

Within nine months, post caesarian section sepsis rates dropped from 12% to 1.4%. Hospital stays shortened, antibiotic use improved and lives were saved. Inspired, Jane wrote an abstract titled “Beating Sepsis at the Frontline: The APT-Sepsis Breakthrough in Katakwi General Hospital” which was accepted for the safe motherhood conference 2025 in Uganda.

 “APT-Sepsis has not only saved mothers - but it has also restored our hope as midwives.” She says proudly

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Preventing Maternal Sepsis and Saving Lives Worldwide

A proven, low-cost program improving the lives of mothers and their families.

Maternal sepsis is a leading cause of death during pregnancy and childbirth, particularly in low-resource countries. The Active Prevention and Treatment of Maternal Sepsis (APT-Sepsis) program has been shown to reduce serious infections and their consequences, supporting hospitals to improve maternal and newborn care. Learn more >