By Frank Kauteka Tembo
Banja
La Mtsogolo (BLM) says it has noted with concern that women in Mzimba North and
even the whole Northern Malawi are shunning long term methods of family
planning due to lack of knowledge, limited availability of these methods, costs
and various cultural myths.
BLM
lamented on Saturday in a meeting held at Kawuwa Primary School in Mzuzu in
partnership with Mzimba North District Health Office aimed at raising awareness
of women’s long term family planning methods especially the IUCD which is
popularly known as the loop.
BLM’s
Behavioral Change Communications Officer for the Northern Region Ian
Nkhumbanyiwa said his organization will intensify awareness meetings so that
women are motivated and therefore take advantage of free loop days at its Mzuzu
Clinic.
“Most women are not forthcoming to access
these methods because they do not know of these methods and again because of
myths associated with the methods thus why we are trying to clear up myths
associated with the methods.
This
method is not available in Health Centers but only in District Hospitals and
Banja La Mtsogolo Clinics because it requires experts to handle the method, as
such, BLM spares one day in every month during which women access loop for free
to assist those that cannot afford to pay for the service,” he said.
Nkhumbanyiwa
added that long family planning methods are efficient and reliable therefore;
women are encouraged to use these methods to reduce number of spontaneous
pregnancies which brings burden in families as well as threaten women’s lives.
Family
Planning Coordinator for Mzimba North District Health Office Tiyamike Mekani
said her office is equally sad with women’s lack of interest in long term
methods such as loop, hence its decision to partner with BLM in the
sensitization meetings.
“A
lot of maternal deaths occur due to unplanned pregnancies which come about due
to lack of family planning and undependable short family planning methods hence
the use of long term methods can avoid
some of maternal complications,” she said.
