Chitipa — People’s Party (PP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Chitipa South, Chimango Mughogho has said Government will spare no effort in ensuring that expectant women do not lose their dear life in the course of giving birth.
She made the remarks Sunday during separate meetings held at Uledi Clinic, Mibanga and Therere Schools in the area of Chief Nthalire, in Chitipa District.
She said it was shocking that many women succumb to what she described as preventable deaths in the process of giving life which is their physiological responsibility.
“Government remains determined to completely eliminate infant and maternal morbidity and mortality in the country,” Mughogho said.
She noted that to a larger extent, high rate of infant and maternal deaths is blamed on unsafe home deliveries, often under care of traditional birth attendants (TBAs).
She emphasized that TBAs do not have single capacity to detect and manage serious maternal complications which can rob life.
Mughogho then coaxed traditional leaders to urge their subjects to parade their expectant women to the nearest health facilities to access free antenatal services and deliver under surveillance of skilled medical personnel to ensure safe child births.
She advised TBAs to assume new role of advising expectant women seeking their services to go to nearest health facilities.
Mughogho said safe motherhood is one of key programmes on the agenda of the country’s leadership. She said President Joyce Banda’s launch of Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health and Safe Motherhood is clear testimony of the President’s determination to eliminate infant and maternal deaths. On development, Mughogho said government will continue implementing development programmes designed to alleviate the plight of poverty stricken rural people.
She cited the Social Cash Transfer Scheme and the One Family One Cow project as some of crucial and well calculated initiatives that intend to drive rural poor out of poverty bondage.
Mughogho then asked the people to support the government as it executes programmes that aim at promoting their wellbeing.
On tripartite elections slated for May 20, 2014, Mughogho urged people aged 18 and above to register when registration exercise begins so that they cast their ballots in favour of leaders who can steer development in their respective areas.