By Damiano Thengo

Nkhotakota, April 15, Mana: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has intensified the use of media theatre for change (Tfac) to reach out to vulnerable marginalized groups of women and girls with Obstetric fistula condition messages in order to improve their welfare in Nkhotakota.

Speaking during an engagement meeting with Vinthenga Community Radio Listening Club at Senior Group Village Headman Vinthenga in the area of Traditional Authority Malengachanzi in the district on Tuesday, UNFPA representative, Nelida Rodrigues, said the meeting was aimed at appreciating the way radio listening clubs are performing when it comes to disseminating Obstetric fistula condition messages.

Rodrigues encouraged radio listening club members and local leaders to work hand in hand to spread Obstetric Fistula messages and report suspected cases of the condition to the appropriate officials and authorities.

"I am impressed with how things are going on, and I hope this kind of addressing issues can help to change Malawi and improve the health of many.  I paid attention to the radio programme in which you were actively engaged, and it is really impressive, please! Let's continue to spread the message of Obstetric Fistula in our village and outside," said Rodrigues.

Nkhotakota District Health Promotion Officer, Garry Chilinga, asked Radio Listening Club members to continue preaching Fistula messages in various events happening in their locality.

He said once the construction of the fistula ward is completed at Nkhotakota District Hospital, they expect to receive more suspected women suffering from the disease.

Patricia Chitambaya, one of the members of the Vinthenga Community Radio Listening Club, commended UNFPA for considering the Tfac tool in conveying Fistula messages, saying that through radio drama and phone call programmes, people can learn effective strategies for handling women suspected to be suffering from the condition.

"Through radio programmes like drama and phone calls, we learnt and received messages concerning fistula, and we have also learnt that fistula cannot be cured by a traditional doctor, but it can be treated at the hospital,” she said.

Freedom from fistula, in collaboration with UNFPA, is implementing a three-year project called Bridging Hope: Empowering women with Obstetric fistula to ensure access to quality Obstetric fistula care and social reintegration in Nkhotakota district.