……..as MPs plead with it to do more across the country
By darlingtone ndasauka
Travelling 36km from Ntakataka turn off in Monkeybay, lies Traditional Authority Nakhumba in Mangochi. The long distance did not matter considering the purpose of the big function that was organized by the leading local non-governmental organization in reproductive health issues in the country, Banja La Mtsogolo. It was on a clear day when the weather was warm and calm, with the sunshine emitting its natural heat to warm the people during this May weather. Even though it was a Wednesday, thank God it was like a Saturday when everyone was not as busy as they used to be during this harvesting time. People flocked from all the villages in TA Nakhumba from as far as Group Village Headman Chamba and Group Village Headman Nakhumba. The “special wedding attires” were taken out just for this occasion, which was special to the people of the area. Senior Chief Nakhumba had already advised his people that the leaders in Family Planning were in Mangochi to visit his area. TA Nakhumba area was the last resort after visiting Chiponde, Katuli, Khumba and Chilipa with sensitization campaigns on the different methods of family planning. The one week long campaign that culminated at Nakhumba was a drive to have communities to participate in Family Planning services offered under the BLM Community Outreach Clinic Initiative. This is an initiative in which BLM provides medical services to rural communities through Government Health Centres.

Banja La Mtsogolo worked closely with Mrs. Matemba, a well-known Reproductive Health Assistant in Mangochi to sensitise the people about this big day. The climax was to be held with pomp at a function to be honoured by Members of Parliament from the Parliamentary Committee on Health.

What was also very interesting on this day was the appearance of Gule Wamkulu to spice up the occassion with their tantalizing dancing antics and educative songs that were composed specially for family planning day at Nakhumba. Accompanied by a group of traditional women, who clad in their beautiful traditional attire, the Nakhumba trading centre was the epitome of celebrations. A traditional band popularly known as Nakhumba Jazz Band was dishing out hypnotizing lyrics that left everyone amazed with the natural raw talent in their neighbourhood. All these were made possible that’s to a well organized sensitization campaign just for Family Planning methods to assist families to plan well for their future.

As the time was approaching 13hours the venue was full to capacity. Those who came late had to climb trees to see and hear for themselves what BLM had brought into the area.

The PA system was nicely set by BLM most popular technician Hudson Mbwana ready for the showdown. With the master of ceremonies Edson Daudi one of the BLM counselors, the occasion was full of enterprising and entertaining scenarios.

Gule Wamkulu set the tempo high to everyone’s appreciation of the beauty of our tradition. This coincided with the arrival of the invited guests MPs.

Among the guests were former Marketing and External Relations Manager for BLM, Mr. George Macheka, Honourable Austin Mtukula MP who is the Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Honourable Nancy Tembo MP who is the Chairperson of the Parliamentary SubCommittee on Reproduction, Group Village Headman Chamba representing TA Nakhumba and Group Village Headman Nakhumba. All 13 Villages under Chief Nakhumba were represented at the function. More than 10,000 people gathered to hear for themselves about the Family Planning messages. The doubting Thomases were also around to get rid of their doubts and misconceptions on how Banja La Mtsogolo has become an icon of the nation in the provision of Family Planning services in the rural areas.

The Chief made a welcoming speech and addressed all the gathering. In his welcome speech Group Village Headman Chamba who represented TA Nakhumba said, “The awareness campaign on family planning methods by BLM has greatly helped to slow down the maternal mortality rate in their area. In the past we registered a 50% maternal mortality rate. We lost many women due to lack of family planning methods. Women kept on bearing more and more children; as a result there were complications that led to more women’s death. Thanks to BLM for providing family planning services in our area.”

The counselor who doubled as the master of ceremonies took up the microphone and introduced all the Family Planning Methods namely, Pills, Condoms, Vasectomy, Depo, Nor Plant, IUCDs and Tubal Ligation. The time the TL name was mentioned as the best for women to keep their health status good, there was ululation from the women side who earlier on sung praises of the permanent family planning method in their popular song of the day; “1, 2, 3, 4 ndiye kukatseketsa.” The tempo of the song was clear evidence that these women were appreciative of the method.

This prompted MP for Lilongwe City South West Hon. Nancy Tembo to admit in her speech that it is really good to go for TL because there is nothing that changes in the family after undergoing TL and encouraged women to follow her example to keep healthy. “These children need nutritious food and good education if they are to be good leaders in the future. They can become MPs just like me if they attain good education. This can only be achieved if women do not slacken. Men it is also your responsibility to encourage women on family planning methods because the coming of HIV/AIDS has also complicated the matters,” Tembo concluded.

She earlier on had encouraged chiefs to take a greater role in encouraging men and women in their areas to take family planning methods seriously to shape the future of their communities and the nation.

UDF MP, Austin Mtukula, Deputy Chairman of Health Committee in Parliament concurred with Nancy Tembo and pleaded with men to help their wives and daughters to take family planning methods seriously. He thanked BLM for its effort in supplementing government in health issues especially where women and children are concerned. “The budget which is released to the Ministry of Health is not enough considering the demand of the health services in Malawi. We thank organizations like Banja La Mtsogolo for their effort in reaching the rural areas and today I have just witnessed with my own eyes what BLM is doing. I will convey what I have seen today to the MPs in parliament to support BLM is all its activities. I want them to come to my area as well as other areas throughout the country,” Mtukula said.

Earlier on the BLM Marketing and External Relation manager said that his organization will do its best to compliment government in health delivery to the poor in Malawi. He also thanked DFID, Norway/Sida, UNFPA and other donors for the financial support they render for BLM to fulfill its objectives.

By darlingtone ndasauka