Journalists asked to help fight abuse in health facilities
White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood (WRASM) has challenged journalists to take a leading role in the fight against habitual disrespect and abuse of women during childbirth in the country’s health system.
Wrasm national coordinator Nancy Kamwendo observed that cases of disrespect and abuse of women during childbirth have increased and the society has come to accept disrespect and abuse in health facilities as a norm.
Said Kamwendo: “Evidence shows that women are subject to inhumane treatment such as abandonment, verbal abuse and detention in [health] facilities. But communities have now accepted disrespect and abusive treatment in hospitals as a norm because no one talks about them.”
She disclosed that poor quality of care in health facilities during childbirth, including disrespect and abusive treatment by healthcare providers and general staff are among the non-financial barriers to quality maternal healthcare.
Kamwendo added that safe motherhood needs to be expanded beyond the prevention of maternal morbidity or mortality to encompass respect for women’s basic human rights.
She said the role of the media is therefore critical to raise awareness of women rights and the society need to know that to do when they suffer abuse and ill-treatment by healthcare providers.
“We want an encounter with care providers during childbirth characterized by a caring attitude, empathy, support, trust, confidence, and empowerment along with gentle, respectful and effective communication to enable informed decision-making,” she emphasised.
Kamwendo was speaking in Mponela on Friday during a day-long media training on respectful maternal care (RMC).
One of the participants, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) reporter Suzgo Chitete , hailed the training, saying it was an eye opener on the ignored reality.
Chitete said that even journalists, too, did not have an idea of the levels of disrespect and abusive treatment people suffer before healthcare workers.
Rmc encompasses respect for women’s basic human rights that include respect for women’s autonomy, dignity, feelings, choices, and preferences, including during maternal care.
