THE Ministry of Health and Medical Service should be supporting all provinces in the country to improve family planning and contraceptive uptake by 2017, according to the ministry’s New Health Outline.
This involves helping both single and married women to access birth control methods that best suits their circumstances and needs as new contraceptives are now available that will give women greater choice in how to space their families.
The ministry would also like to see nine out of 10 deliveries taking place at clinics with a skilled health worker.
According to Permanent Secretary Dr Tenneth Dalipanda, helping pregnant women in the country to get to the clinic to deliver their babies will make the birth experience safer for both mothers and their babies.
He said according to the new health outline by 2019, the ministry plans to have a doctor in 60% of Area Health Centres.
This, he said, will strengthen the existing health teams and make it easier for the community to see a doctor.
Dr Dalipanda said the ministry also intends to work in partnership with communities to increase the distribution and correct use of bed nets and improve water, sanitation and hygiene.
In addition, special attention will be given to the fight against non-communicable diseases across the government, as well as the response to climate change, disasters and disease outbreaks.
By BIRIAU WILSON SAENI
