Inside the maternity ward

Expectant mothers at an antenatal clinic at Tiriri health centre in Katine. The morning clinics, run by midwives, are always busy Photograph: Guardian

The maternity ward at Tiriri health centre. Women from rural areas like Katine often rely on traditional birth attendants (TBA) when they go into labour, as many can’t afford the cost of visiting the health centre. TBAs will often assist for the cost of a chicken. TBAs are being trained by Amref so they know when to recommend women for specialist healthcare Photograph: Guardian

A woman and her baby wait to be seen at Tiriri health centre. The centre ran out of drugs some months ago. The clinic is dependent on a slow, bureaucratic and corrupt supply chain. The health centre doctor left the sub-county earlier this year for a post in a city hospital. Amref is lobbying district and national governments to improve the drug supply Photograph: Guardian

Six-week-old Ellen Beatrice Asano waits for her polio immunisation with her mother, Naomi Abegno, at Tiriri health centre. Since the Guardian/Amref project began last year, around 13,770 children have been vaccinated against childhood diseases, such as polio, measles, diphtheria and tetanus Photograph: Guardian

In the maternity ward at Soroti hospital. The hospital is 14km from Tiriri health centre in Katine. The ambulance that was once parked at the health centre is now kept at the hospital, which means women in urgent need to medical attention have to be transported by bike Photograph: Guardian

Lack of beds and space mean pregnant women or new mothers often have to lie on the floor of the maternity ward at Soroti hospital Photograph: Guardian

Aron Aisu, 17 months, who has severe malaria with his mother, Debra Abiro at Ojom Mission clinic in Katine. The mission nurses have plenty of experience of treating babies with malaria. The private clinic is run by a Catholic mission and, because it has a different drug supply than state facilities, has at least some medicine in the dispensary Photograph: Guardian

Baby Apeco, who is 12 hours old, with her mother, Florence, at Tiriri health centre. Florence and her husband are HIV positive. The family needs to get to Soroti hospital within 72 hours of the birth so the baby can be given a syrup that can help stop transmission of the HIV virus. Florence is too weak to ride on the back of her husband’s bike and they don't have the money for treatment Photograph: Guardian

Florence and her husband, Justin Egau, managed to get to Soroti hospital and their baby got some of her medicine. Justin borrowed money to pay for Florence and the baby to get the minibus to hospital, while he followed on his bike Photograph: Guardian