BLM Launches new awareness Service in Women

Reproductive Health Entity, Banja La Mtsogolo has launched a new awareness Service for Women as it seeks to change the approach to women’s health thereby supporting them to thrive at every stage of growth and development.

Balanja La Mtsogolo Programs and Operations Director Wina Sangala made the remarks when she was briefing the media on Wednesday in Lilongwe.

The awareness Service is coming after the research that was conducted in three cities, Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu which showed that Women feel embarrassed to publicly discuss their health issues thereby obstructing their right to health care.

“Nora, a young professional from Zomba City said once she starts menstruation, she feels there is nobody to talk to. If she develops complications like period pains, she feels embarrassed to talk about it.

“This is because talking freely about women’s health remains taboo or health embarrassing in Malawi. These taboos have been further enshrined in our social norms. Pressure on fertility leads to a heavy focus on childbearing in women’s health which neglects the wider needs throughout women’s life,” said Sangala.

Sangala said the services that Banja La Mtsogolo are going to provideinclude cervical cancer screening, menstruation, maternity and menopause services.

“Banja La Mtsogolo has been a friend to Malawi women and girls from 1978 and since then it has been complimenting the services that Malawi Government does in providing quality health care mainly focusing on family planning issues to Malawian women and girls.

“Banja La Mtsogolo feels super proud of the services rendered to Malawian women with unwavering commitment.

“WHO defines Health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not just merely the absence of disease. This definition means health needs to he continuum of care spanning through different stages of life.

“While Malawi continues to make progress in health initiatives, discussions around the changes of woman’s body through life and the health issues that come with it is often overlooked,” said Sangala.

She further added that the services will be provided by health experts in 25 clinics across the country.

“25 Banja La Mtsogolo clinics across the country will provide a range of dedicated services that cater for every stage of women’s life from menstruation to menopause, ” added Sangala.

Sangala has since urged the country to participate in this campaign to help in creating dialogue, share information and foster conversations on neglected topics in women’s health.

She also thanked the Ministry of Health for a warm and cordial working relationship that has existed between the two parties since 1978.