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Early marriages cripple health system—Kaliati

 Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati has said the growing number of early marriages and teen pregnancies is crippling the country’s health system.

She observed that pregnant girls, teen mothers as well as their children seek medical attention frequently than mature mothers and their children, a development that put pressure to resources in public health institutions such as medical drugs as well as medical staff.

Kaliati said this on Wednesday during the handover of Bwanje Reticulated Water System which was implemented by Oxfam in Malawi through its Women’s 50:50 Profiling Programme at Bwanje Health Centre in Ntcheu.

She said: “Each and every day the Ministry of Health is really doing a good job, but people say we don’t have medicine, maybe clinical officers have stolen the medicine, but no it’s because of the early marriages.”

The minister commended Oxfam for installing a reticulated water system at the health centre, saying it will ease water challenges pregnant mothers have been facing.

Kaliati: Its putting pressure on resources

Ntcheu district acting director of health and social services Emily Kumilonde Jenya hailed Oxafam for the gesture, saying will help to improve sanitation at the facility.

Oxfam in Malawi country director Lingalireni Mihowa said the project is part of her organisation’s support towards gender responsiveness. She said water challenges at the facility were identified by Ntcheu Bwanje North legislator, Nancy Chaola Mdoko, who is also Deputy Minister of Transport and Public Works.

Bwanje Health Centre was opened in 1982 and it after a population of about 38 000 people.

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