Blog - At only 15 years old, Sophie Mbewe, now 34, lost her child, and for almost nine years, she suffered persistent disgrace and shame. 'I gave birth when I was only 15 years old, but I lost my child,' she said.
At only 15 years old, Sophie Mbewe, now 34, lost her child, and for almost nine years, she suffered persistent disgrace and shame.On a sunny Monday afternoon in 2005, Mbewe started showing labour signs in her home in Mchinji, just 109km east of Malawi's capital, Lilongwe. According to her, they had travelled more than 100km to reach a better-equipped health facility. However, due to her young age, her pregnancy had complications, Mbewe said.
women worldwide are affected by obstetric fistula, an abnormal opening between a woman's genital tract and her urinary tract or rectum. The development of obstetric fistula is directly linked to one of the major causes of maternal mortality --without access to timely, high-quality medical treatment. Women who experience obstetric fistula suffer constant incontinence, shame, social segregation, and health problems like Mbewe..
Currently, the Bwaila Fistula Centre receives many women with obstructed/prolonged labour, which has been highlighted as one of the causes of obstetric fistula. The centre handles five to six patients daily at the Bwaila Care Centre in Lilongwe, representing between 150-160 women a month. From 2015 to date, the Centre has managed to conduct over 4,000 fistula repairs, representing 86% of all those who turn up for attention. The remaining 14% refers to women who had symptoms similar to fistulas but were not actually fistulas.Currently, Mbewe is employed at the Centre as a mobiliser and has been provided an opportunity to earn a living.
The UNFPA Malawi also provides medical supplies, hygiene products, and funds for fistula prevention, treatment and social reintegration programmes. The fund also strengthens maternal health and emergency obstetric services to prevent this injury from occurring in the first place.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Malawi Fails to Sustain Export DealsOfficials from the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) have come out in the open to concede that Malawi is failing to sustain export deals.
Read more »
Malawi: Ecobank's Commitment to Education and Digital Empowerment Is a Continuous JourneyHaving invested a state-of-the-art Smart information & communication technology (ICT) lab at Ngumbe Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Blantyre on the commemoration of 10th Anniversary of Ecobank Day, the bank emphasises that their 'commitment to education and digital empowerment is not just a one-day event -- it is a continuous journey'.
Read more »
Malawi: Chakwera Defies Donors On Aip As Govt Registers 2.5m BeneficiariesPresident Dr Lazarus Chakwera has defied donor demands by continuing with Affordable Input Program.
Read more »
Malawi: Chakwera for Food Security That Promote Self-ReliancePresident Dr Lazarus Chakwera has said the desire of his administration is to achieve food security that promotes self-reliance in addition to upholding human dignity.
Read more »
Malawi Continues to Soldiers for Peace Keeping Mission in DRC Despite Resistance From TshisekediMalawi is sending a contingent of Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers to Democratic Republic of Congo despite the country's President Felix Tshisekedi repeated demand that all United Nations peace keeping soldiers be pulled out.
Read more »
Malawi Government Bemoans Drunkardness During Working Hours, Absenteeism in Civil ServiceGovernment has expressed concern over the growing tendency of indiscipline, which include reporting for work while drunk by some council workers.
Read more »