Chief Kwataine drills communities in safe motherhood

Traditional leaders in Malawi have been asked to come up with measures that will assist communities to use family planning methods in order to reduce maternal deaths.

Presidential Initiative on Safe Motherhood chairperson Senior Chief Kwataine made the call on Wednesday in Machinga and Zomba respectively where he held meetings with communities in the areas of traditional authorities Chamba and Chikowi on how to achieve the initiative.

He said traditional leaders, as custodians of the law should exercise their powers to ensure that their subjects are taking part in family planning methods to reduce early and unwanted pregnancies in girls and women that result in their poor health as well as deaths.

Said Kwataine: “As traditional leaders, let us initiate committees to take a leading role in sensitising our subjects to the dangers of maternal deaths due to poor family planning.

“As leaders, you can implement the initiative by providing resources that will help in providing communities with facilities like maternity shelters in your respective areas.”

In their remarks TAs Chamba and Chikowi welcomed the initiative, describing it as a safety measure in preventing of maternal deaths and encouraging family.