By Elia Chibwe

Lilongwe, May 22, Mana: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has reassured Malawi Government, through Ministry of Health and the Fistula Repair Centre, in addressing fistula issues in the country.

UNFPA Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Lydia Zigomo, made the remarks in Lilongwe on Wednesday during a press briefing after visiting different sections of Freedom for Fistula Centre at Bwaila Hospital in Lilongwe.

The visit was aimed at discussing ways of addressing fistula in Malawi.

"We were talking to some survivors of fistula as well as those waiting to have their surgeries. We also discussed how we can address fistula in Malawi. We believe that fistula can be solved and we can prevent young girls and women from suffering from fistula," Zigomo said.

She said UNFPA is relentlessly assisting Malawi and will continue supporting government to end fistula among Malawian women by raising awareness among communities.

She, therefore, appealed to young ladies to remain in schools until their bodies have developed properly saying this can reduce resources required for treating the disease.

Country Director for Fistula Centre, Magret Moyo, applauded UNFPA for the strong partnership which exists between Freedom for Fistula Foundation and UNFPA.

"We are grateful for the visit and we don't take it for granted. You are supporting us by complementing our efforts; a lot of patients have benefited," she said.

About 300 to 350 women annually are repaired at the facility.

According to Moyo, the facility doesn’t just do physical repairs but also rehabilitate and reintegrate women back into the society and empowers them economically.

As part of social reintegration, the facility has received 50 sewing machines from UNFPA.

Director of Reproductive Health, Doreen Namagetsi Ali, said the visit was crucial as it has acceded an opportunity to witnessed progress Ministry of Health.

Freedom for Fistula Foundation is a Scottish charity organization which has been in Malawi since 2010.