Some communities in Malawi are helping the UN and government efforts. Chief Kwataine is a traditional leader. He has pushed for laws to help prevent young women from being at risk for fistula.
“As traditional leaders, we have now ganged up to set some bylaws to stop the traditional birth attendants from conducting deliveries in their villages to prevent the fistula issue. The second one is to set stiffer penalties to bar parents from encouraging young girls to get married. We have set up 21 as age limit to make sure that every young girl or young boy should attain 21 before she thinks of getting married.”
Chief Kwataine says people who break these laws can be punished. For example, they might be required to give chicken and goats to the traditional leaders.
Community efforts are a way to prevent more fistula cases. But other issues remain. One big problem is a shortage of trained doctors who can repair fistulas. The Ministry of Health says only a few of the country’s doctors perform the surgery.
Gift Malunga says that, as a result, the UN fistula camps have to use foreign doctors.
This year, the UN plans to hold its second fistula camp of the year in October. About 100 women are expected to receive fistula repair.
And that’s As It Is. I’m Kelly Jean Kelly. Thanks for joining us today.
If you would like to reach us, go to our website at learningenglish.voanews.com and click on “Contact Us.”
最新
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25