People living in flood-prone areas in Nsanje have expressed excitement with a sexual and reproductive health programme aimed at protecting disaster victims from contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, Tengani Area Civil Protection Committee chairperson Mary Dasitala said Nsanje District Health Office in partnership with Development Aid from People to People (Dapp) are engaging communities on the need to access sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services during disasters.

She said community members, especially those who stay in camps, have little access to family planning services, which puts them at risk of contracting STIs, including HIV and unplanned pregnancies.

Nsanje District Hospital health worker Wilson Ntchembere speaks during a meeting

The programme will ensure that youths access contraceptives such as condoms since it is no longer a secret that youths engage in sexual activities in camps.

Said Dasitala: “Again, most people who give services such as distributing food take advantage of women and girls and they demand sex in exchange for food.”

In a separate interview, Nsanje District Health Office focal person Collins Tembo said they decided to empower people in flood-prone areas with messages on STIs, including HIV, through the access to family planning services.

“We also established that critically ill people fail to access health services while in camps due to loss of health passports and shyness. We encourage people to keep their health passports safe,” he said.

Tembo also said they will remind people on anti-retroviral therapy to continue taking their drugs and contraceptives to protect themselves.

He said messages will be carried on flyers and aired on the district’s two community radio stations of Nyanthepa and Gaka to reach many people.

Dapp programme manager Vanessa Phiri thanked the DHO for coming up with messages of preparing people in flood-prone areas to access contraceptives and continue taking medication in camps.

The organisation is implementing the eight-month project in the district with funding from Christian Aid to the tune of K30 million.

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