By Manasse Nyirenda:
Health authorities in Rumphi have expressed concern over the high numbers of girls and young women who seek post abortion care in the districts health facilities.
This was disclosed on Tuesday during an interaction between area development committees (ADCs) and Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) on post abortion care and sexual and reproductive health rights at Bolero in the area of Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe in Rumphi District.
Post abortion care coordinator for Rumphi District Health Office, Tereza Mahomed said her office registered a total of 448 post abortion care cases in 2021
“Out of the 448 cases, 105 involved girls aged between 10 and 19. This is worrying because it means the girls and young women do not use contraceptives which can prevent from unwanted pregnancies. Unwanted pregnancies contribute to unsafe abortions which may lead to death,” Mahomed said.
She said that the current law which criminalizes abortion coupled with high number of sexually active youth who do not use contraceptives are some of the factors which contribute to unsafe abortions.
Quality Assurance Officer for FPAM, Chimwemwe Kapyola said it is important for people especially women to understand the current law on abortion and available post abortion care service for to save lives.
He said the current restrictive laws force women and young girls to indulge in unsafe abortions thereby by leading in some cases to loss of uteruses and preventable deaths.
One of the youth representatives, Blessings Kawalewale urged youth to use the knowledge gained to sensitize their peers on the dangers of carrying out unsafe abortions.
Currently FPAM is running a Women Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) Project in the area of Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe and Traditional Authority Mwahenga in Rumphi District.
