QMAM embark on reproductive health project

Qadria Muslim Association of Malawi QMAM says religious and community leaders have a crucial role to play in ensuring that the public understands issues of reproductive health.

This was said in Liwonde during the launch of Nzatonse phase II project to be implemented in 7 TA’s in Machinga district.

Executive director of QMAM Sait Jambo, they decided to come up with this project in Machinga district because it is one of the districts whose population is growing very fast.

“Nzatonse project aims at strengthening public private partnership in sexual reproductive health so that women and the youth have access to affordable good reproductive health services,”said Jambo.

It was revealed that Machinga district is one of the districts with high population growth.

“According to records at the DC’s office, in 1998 the growth rate was at 1.8%, 2.8% in 2008 and 3 percent in 2010,” statistics show.

Jambo said sheikhs, community leaders, women and the youth are involved in the project because it is through these people that the message of reproductive health can be easily disseminated.

Speaking during the launch, guest of honor at the function Margret Uladi, who is chairperson for Machinga district council commended QMAM for coming up with the project in the district saying the project will reduce school drop outs due to early pregnancy.

Uladi, the Nkoola ward councilor also appealed to QMAM to assist girls with school fees saying drop out is rampant in the district because many parents fail to educate their children because of poverty.

“I plead with the organization to take the project to other T/As for them to change their mind set on issues of sexual reproductive health,” appealed the council chair.

In his remarks QMAM’s Secretary General Osman Karim appealed to sheikhs in the country to do research before presenting reproductive health issues.

“It is important to engage religious leaders on such issues to clear out misconceptions,” stressed Karim.

N’zatonse project is being implemented in Machinga district in T/A’s Kawinga, Chikwewo, Mposa, Nyambi,Ngokwe, Liwonde and Chamba.

The project is being funded by German Development Bank to a tune of 237,790.80 euros.
It runs from September 2016 to August 2017.