Maskal, Third Eye for maternal health

Malawian urban artists Maskal and Third Eye have joined a grouping of maternal health ambassadors, whose role is to spread messages of safe motherhood.

Under the evidence for action programme called MamaYe, local health NGO, the Parent and Child Health Initiative (Pachi), is running the project where voluntary ambassadors will be spreading messages on maternal health.

To kick off the programme, last weekend Pachi held a motivational session with students at Kamuzu College of Nursing where Maskal and Third Eye made speeches on why no woman should die due to pregnancy related complications.

“I am here because of a woman and obviously, no woman should die giving birth. It is for this reason that I was compelled to be a safe motherhood activist.

We need concerted efforts to deal with this and as musicians we have a big role to play in as far as spreading messages of safe motherhood are concerned. We must take advantage of our popularity in the society to spread these messages,” said Maskal in an interview.

The artist has since recorded the MamaYe theme song which will be launched during the official roll out of the programme next week.

“Issues of maternal health are close to my heart and when I was approached to voluntarily help with a theme song, I gladly did. The song dubbed MamaYe was recorded at Baseline Studios by Sonye.

It celebrates life and women for being strong to withstand difficulties that come along with pregnancy. Because of this vigour, no woman then deserves to die for giving life,” said Maskal.

Third Eye, on the other hand, said his being alive is because his mum was saved, which is more reason for him to be a safe motherhood activist.

“If she was not saved, I believe I wouldn’t have been here. We need to join hands to play the role of maternal health activists. A life giving moment should not take life,” he said.