Source: Malawi News Agency (Lilongwe)
Salima — Senior chiefs and traditional authorities in Salima have formed a safe motherhood forum in an effort to champion safe motherhood at district level.

The forum has been organised with Support from Maikhanda, a local non-governmental organisation implementing safe motherhood activities in the district.

Speaking with Malawi News Agency (Mana) Wednesday after a safe motherhood meeting organised to drill Salima chiefs.

Presidential Initiative on Safe Motherhood chairperson, Senior Chief Kwataine said the idea to form the forum at a district level is good as the chiefs are in direct contact with the people and will easily influence them to change.

"The chiefs' forum on safe motherhood at district level is important because chiefs have the power to make things happen at the local level so their involvement will ease the work of other agents that are fighting to end to maternal deaths.

"For example, after this training we hope that each chief will make sure that structures are formed at the local level to monitor and encourage people on safe motherhood practices," said Kwataine.

One of the participants to the workshop, traditional authority Mwanza of Salima said the meeting is an eye-opener for the chiefs and the forum will help the chiefs encourage each other to mobilise their people to adhere to safe motherhood practices.

Deputy Director of Maikhanda, Erick Tsetekani said his organisation decided to organise the chief's forum at the district level after noting there was an information gap.

"There was an information gap and that is why we involved traditional leaders because they are the most influential people," said Tsetekani.

He said since the start of the project some five year ago there have been improvements in the number of hospital deliveries and currently out of every 100 pregnant women, 76 are delivering at health facilities.

He said they hope involving the top chiefs can help them change the percentage from 76 to 100.

The Salima Chiefs' forum on safe motherhood consists of three Senior Chiefs and seven traditional authorities.

• Malawi