(Monze)
22nd May, 2024
Chief Monze of the Tonga speaking people in Southern Province has expressed concern over increase in number of young girls patronizing bars.
Speaking during the launch of Safe motherhood Week and End Obstetric fistula meeting in Monze district, Chief Monze lamented the high number of young girls frequenting beer halls and getting unwanted pregnancies.
He described the situation as unacceptable and has commended government and other players for coming up with interventions aimed at addressing the vice.
And Chief Chona of Monze , has called on health practitioners to engage with parents and guardians before administering young women with some form of family planning method.
Chief Chona bemoaned that most parents and guardians are unaware that their children are in pursuit of a certain form of sexual reproductive health method.
His Royal Highness called for dialogue between the two parties in order to bridge the existing gaps and to foster national development.
Meanwhile, Chief Safe Motherhood Officer in the Ministry of Health Caren Chizuni says government has come up with several interventions that aims to address health related complications facing pregnant mothers and obstetric fistula.
Dr Chizuni has assured that government will not relent in its efforts of ensuring that it reduces maternal mortality and curb Obstetric fistula currently afflicting pregnant mothers.
And Brian Mulubwa, Senior Health Promotion Officer in the Ministry of Health says traditional leaders play a crucial role in championing the health of mothers in their respectful chiefdoms.
Mr Mulubwa appealed to their royal highnesses to continue being ambassadors of change in the areas of maternal health and to create a safe passage to end fistula among women.
Earlier, in a pictorial presentation, Edith Zulu , Sister In-Charge at Monze’ s Manungu Urban Clinic pointed out that adolescent girls are at higher risk of experiencing obstetric fistula.
And the United Nations Population Fund-UNFPA says there is need to accelerate sexual reproductive health services amidst the ongoing drought.
UNFPA Program Analyst Leonard Zulu said traditional leaders must proactively engage in drought response activities so as to allow people know about adolescent health, end child marriage campaigns and the practice of safe motherhood as well as to engage in the fight against gender-based violence.
UNFPA is the United Nations organ which provides oversight on sexual and reproductive health across the continent.