UNFPA donates to Malawi K335 million medical equipment for maternal health
United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) on Friday handed over family planning and maternal health medical supplies to Ministry of Health wealth K335 million.
Handing over of Medical Equipment for Family planning and Maternal comes at a time when Malawi is experiencing critical shortage essential medical supplies which include drugs.
UNFA Country representative to Malawi, Dr Rogaia Abdelrahim asked Malawi Government through Secretary to the Ministry of Health Mac Phail Magwira to use the equipment for its intended purpose.
The donation is aimed at ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted and every child birth is safe whilst young people are able to fulfil their potentials, according to Magwira.
The consignment is part of Reproductive Maternal Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) Programme which seeks to improve access and quality of Family planning and Maternal health Services in Malawi through; provision of ambulances in designated health zones, increasing the number of trained health workers, Increasing the number of trained health workers.
The programme also aims at increasing Family Planning utilization through creation of demand for the acceptability and accessibility of modern methods.
Dr Abdelrahim said the agency is happy with government’s commitment to address barriers to achieve the goals outlined above by working with different partners in mobilizing resources and implementing appropriate interventions.
The equipment which has been bought wealth USD 480,720 and in Malawi Kwacha MK335 million, include; 56 Steriliser Steam Pressure, 56 Haemoglobinometers, 56 Oxygen Concentrators, 56, Midwifery kits, 56 Foot Suction machines, 28 Labour and delivery beds, 56 Light operating
Mobile machines, 112 IUCD / Implants insertion and removal kits, 112 Female sterilisation equipment and 1000 Midwifery drapes.
Abdelrahim has since appealed to the Ministry to take care of the equipment.
Receiving the consignment, Dr Magwira thanked UNFPA and other stakeholders for the assistance which he said has come on the right time.
Magwira said Government recognises the importance of providing Maternal and Neonatal Health care services including family planning to the nation.
“Currently, all public health facilities provide maternal and neonatal as well as family planning services to women of child bearing age. These services are essential in the prevention of maternal and neonatal deaths which are high in our country Malawi estimated at 574/100,000 and 29/1000 live births respectively.”
Magwira said to prevent maternal and neonatal deaths, patients/clients’ need to receive comprehensive health care services provided by skilled health personnel when they visit health
facilities.
He said as much as the Ministry has skilled health personnel, lack of resources has been one of the challenges for them to provide comprehensive care to patients/clients in the health facilities.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
Thank you UNFPA,but no thanks.Malawi has been lately led by corrupt and unpatriotic elements who have no sympathy whatsoever with fellow human beings.It is therefore,appropriate for UNFPA to insist strict transparency and fair distributions of the funds instead of more likely deviated to personal use which is prevalent in the country today,endangering the lives of women.Another Malawian has mentioned of skilled health personenel being readily on hand,but contradictory, are at present in foreign lands looking for greener pastures.Good luck!!!