Group village head Tayale of Thyolo District has warned religious groups against discouraging people from accessing healthcare services and threatened that community by-laws will be enforced against them.
She made the remarks on Saturday during a project review meeting organised by Women Rights Institute (Wori) in Traditional Authority Bvumbwe in the district to assess the successes and challenges girls and young women face in accessing post-abortion care services.
| Ted Likombola
“People’s health comes first. We cannot allow anyone to stop people from accessing medical care because of religious beliefs. Our community by-laws will be enforced against those who continue discouraging people from going to hospitals when they need treatment,” said Tayale.
She commended Wori and Thyolo District Hospital for promoting healthcare awareness, saying the initiative is helping communities appreciate the importance of seeking timely medical services.
Wori district representative Chisomo Phaiya said community engagement remains crucial to addressing barriers preventing girls and young women from accessing post-abortion care services.
“We believe involving community leaders is essential to addressing barriers that prevent women from accessing post-abortion care,” she said.
Thyolo District Hospital health promotion officer Chipiliro Chanthinya urged community leaders, faith leaders and youth clubs to sustain awareness campaigns on the dangers of teen pregnancies and unsafe abortions
