Some men in Ntchisi District have begun supporting their wives to access antenatal services and take their children to under-five clinics to promote safe motherhood.
The initiative follows resistance from some men to allow their wives to visit health facilities when they became pregnant.
One of the men who used to refuse his wife attending antenatal services at Chinguluwe Health Centre is Moses Kasambiza from Bowa Village in Traditional Authority Chilooko in Ntchisi District.
In an interview on Monday, he said he believed that his wife could give birth through traditional birth attendants.
Said Kasambiza: “I thought it was not important for pregnant women to attend antenatal services and give birth at a health facility.
“However, mother care groups and healthcare workers did not give up persuading me to change my mind.”
His wife, Alepher, said it was difficult to challenge her husband.
“I thank mother care group members who convinced my husband to change his mind. He is now a champion of safe motherhood in the village,” she said.
Alepher said she gave birth to a healthy child at Chinguluwe Health Centre, courtesy of her husband and the volunteers who ensured that she attends antenatal services.
Another man, Jonathan Chidima, said men escort their wives to attend antenatal services.
“We also encourage our wives to take contraceptives to prevent unplanned pregnancies,” he said.
Chidima also said they encourage their wives to eat six food groups to have healthy babies.
Chinguluwe Health Centre health surveillance assistant Andrew Sylvester said since conducting awareness on the importance of men to support their wives, the situation has improved.
“No woman will give birth at home,” he said
