VP joins mothers in prayers on maternal problems
Vice President Joyce Banda on Friday night attended Mothers Night of Prayer that were aimed at seeking God’s intervention on the current maternal health problems and seeking commitment from people to support and improve maternal health services.
The prayers were organised by National Organization of Nurses and Midwives (NOM) with support from Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), CORDAID and Uchembere Network. People from all walks of life especially women attended the prayers to address issues affecting them in the health sector.
Banda said as a mother, she felt the need to support the prayers, saying maternal health is an important subject that needs attention.
She said it is shocking to see the numbers at which women are losing their lives due to the many problems that hospitals are facing.
“The number of women dying during child birth is shocking, and the problem of drug shortage has worsened the situation. A poor woman somewhere cannot even access health services,” she said adding that all we can do as a country is to pray for God’s interference.
Executive Director of National Organisation of Nurses in Malawi Dorothy Ngoma says lives are being lost every day due to lack of drugs in most hospitals.
“Maternal health is at risk as women are dying because of lack of resources in our hospitals; there is drug shortage and lack of personnel in all hospitals. With prayer we can ask God to intervene in the problems we and the country is facing,” Ngoma said.
Mercy Phiri of Chilobwe Township in Blantyre said: “Women face a lot challenges, most women die when giving birth due to lack of resources and staff, most women in the rural areas do not even have access to health services, or even drugs. This day has provided a platform for women to pray for these crucial problems.”
People who attended signed a pledge form that shows commitment to maintain and improve poor women access to maternal essential health services, support through policies and others.
