In an attempt to combat the state’s high rate of infant and maternal mortality, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is set to receive $40 million from the federal government, the school announced Monday.
Funding is coming to UAMS through federal appropriations legislation passed by Congress last month and signed into law by President Donald Trump on Feb. 3, according to a news release.
Topping out the list of upgrades and new equipment the school is set to receive as part of the spending package is the renovation of the Shuffield Building, the former site of school’s radiation oncology clinics, which will become a low-intervention birthing center. The project will receive $15 million in federal funds, UAMS spokeswoman Leslie Taylor said.
Another project, funded by an $8 million tranche, will fund the Arkansas Center for Women and Infants’ Health at UAMS, “a proactive call center that coordinates efforts across the state to reduce infant and maternal mortality,” according to the school.
In total, the state is expected to receive $446.6 million as its share of funding through the appropriations laws enacted earlier this month.
The funding came in as four members of Arkansas’ Congressional delegation — Republicans U.S. Sen. John Boozman of Rogers, and Reps. Rick Crawford of Jonesboro, Steve Womack of Rogers and Bruce Westerman of Hot Springs — sought to secure funding in the legislation for projects around the state.
The two other members of the state’s delegation to Washington. — U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R- of Dardanelle, and U.S. Rep. French Hill, R- of Little Rock — did not make requests to be added to the funding package, as they are opposed to earmarks to secure funding for projects.
“This funding is critical to advancing UAMS’ mission to improve the health and well-being for Arkansans, including more positive outcomes for Natural State moms, babies and families,” Boozman said in the news release. “I was proud to champion these investments and to expand resources for providers, encourage medical innovation through better research, and ultimately save and elevate the quality of many more lives.”
In addition, UAMS also said the federal dollars will go toward:
$5 million for the upgrades to the Monroe Building, supporting the school’s milk bank and to create a Maternal and Infant Education Center.
$4.5 million to renovate the Barton Building to provide more space for researchers.
$3 million to purchase new pediatric vision screening equipment, telehealth cameras for Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis, among other items.
$2.5 million to buy vans, that will be used to transport patients from facilities on campus and to expand UAMS’ mobile maternal care center, along with vision screening and simulation equipment to assist with training for maternal and infant care.
$2 million for expanded storage facility for hazardous waste.
Public health officials have long attempted to address Arkansas’ high maternal and infant mortality rates.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2018-2022 Arkansas maternal mortality rate of 38.3 deaths per 100,000 births was fourth highest among states where data could be reliably be calculated.
In 2023, Arkansas’ infant mortality rate of 8.22 infant deaths per 1,000 births was the second highest in the nation.
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