Sexual, reproductive health rights vital—official

International Organisation of Migration (IOM) regional migration health manager Francis Bwambale has said access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services is key to combating HIV and Aids.

He said this on Thursday in Salima at the opening of the second national level multi-sectoral dialogue on migration and sexual reproductive health (SRH) issues.

Bwambale said IOM is implementing the SRHR/HIV Knows No Borders project as one of the regional initiatives in the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) region.

The project attempts to address inequalities in access to and utilisation of HIV and SRH services, especially among the migrants and migration affected communities.

“This is why we urge governments in the Sadc region to ensure that no one is left behind in the access to SRH services through creating an enabling environment to address social and policy barriers that prevent vulnerable populations to access the services,” he said.

Bwambale said to achieve this there is need for multi-sectoral approach among stakeholders in SRHR issues in the cross border corridors of Mchinji, Mwanza and Neno.

National programme officer for Adolescents and Youth for SRHR in the Ministry of Health Hans Katengeza said government urged delegates to the dialogue meeting to come up with interventions that can reduce the risk of HIV and Aids in border district.

“We need to critically to look into problems hindering the migrants and people living in border districts from accessing SRHR services,” he said.—Malawi News Agency