Gvt confronts societal barriers to health

Mukudzei Chingwere Herald Reporter
Government is confronting socio-cultural and religious barriers affecting its citizenry’s health seeking behaviour which were laid bare when a pregnant teenage girl – Memory Machaya – died at an apostolic sect in Manicaland.

Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Dr John Mangwiro made the remarks during his virtual address last week at the commemorations of the world population day and launch of the state of the world population report.

This year’s theme is : Rights and choices are the answer: whether baby boom or bust, the solution lies in prioritising the reproductive health and rights of all people.

“Apart from the challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Healthy and Child Care is also fighting against socio-cultural and religious barriers that are affecting the delivery and utilisation of SRH (Sexual Reproductive Health) and SGBV (Sexual and Gender Based Violence) services,” said Dr Mangwiro.

“Poor health seeking behaviour and objections to modern medicine due to religious and cultural practices continue to militate against our drive to achieve by 2025 universal access to sexual reproductive health.

“Though declining preventable martenal and perinatal morbidity and mortality remains unacceptably high and teenage pregnancy is increasing relentlessly. Our adolescents continue to face a myriad of sexual and reproductive health challenges including high rates of unplanned pregnancies, early childbearing and the transmission of STIs including HIV.”

Dr Mangwiro said as we commemorate the world population day we are reminded of the marginalised and challenges they are facing in accessing SRH and SGBV that are age appropriate, safe, equitable, affordable, acceptable and accessible.

He said it was disheartening that thousands of young people are succumbing to avoidable SRH and SGBV related causes.

“Memory Machaya (a 14-year-old girl) who passed on last week at a religious shrine in rural Marange is one such young person,” he said Dr Mangwiro.

He acknowledged the support government is receiving from President Mnangagwa’s administration and partners towards improving the availability of SRH and SGBV services at all levels of care.