Kachere Progressive Women’s Group has urged healthcare workers alongside traditional and faith leaders to promote access to sexual and reproductive health services among women and the youth in the district.
During a two-day training of the healthcare workers and traditional leaders in reproductive health, the organisation’s coordinator Alex Charlie said they organised the training after noting stigma and ill-treatment those seeking reproductive health services were facing.
He said: “We want to encourage healthcare workers to serve any client who seeks sexual and reproductive health services, including contraceptives.
“On traditional and faith leaders, we want them to encourage their subjects and followers to access family planning services from health facilities.”
Nsanje District Hospital post-abortion care officer Edna Samata said the training sought to empower Nsanje District Health Management Team members with fresh skills to provide reproductive health services.
She said: “The district has registered high numbers of unsafe abortions due to knowledge gaps on where people can access contraceptives.
“The training is for the district health management team members from all facilities in the district will help them reach out to girls and women who seek reproductive health services, including post-abortion care.”
Samata said that from January to June this year, the district has registered 171 unsafe abortion cases.
“In the corresponding period last year, we registered 179 cases,” she said.
Tengani Health Centre in-charge Sangalatso Kumbukani said the training was informative and gave them new skills in assisting clients who seek post-abortion care.
However, she dismissed allegations of ill-treatment and stigma toward those seeking post-abortion health care.
Group village head Anyalandiwo of T/A Mbenje asked relevant stakeholders to expedite the process of tabling the Pregnancy Termination Bill to become law to facilitate safe abortion.
With funding from Amplify Change, the organisation is implementing Pamoja project which focuses on advocating for policy change on reproductive health in Traditional Authority Mbenje in the district.
Participants follow a demonstration outside. | Martin Gela Jnr
