By Burnett Munthali
Umunthu FM, in collaboration with the Youth Action Movement (YAM), has called on young people in Kasungu to actively seek medical assistance and embrace family planning methods to prevent early pregnancies and reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The appeal follows a recent awareness campaign held in Mbeta village, aimed at addressing rising cases of adolescent pregnancies and STIs, especially in areas impacted by the M1 road construction project.
Speaking at the event, Collings Kalivute, Umunthu FM’s field officer, highlighted that the station’s “Inclusivity Our Priority” project is designed to make sexual and reproductive health services more accessible to youth in Kasungu. The initiative spans across three traditional authorities, striving to empower young people with information and resources that can help them make informed decisions about their health.
“We are committed to ensuring that young people understand the importance of protecting themselves,” Kalivute stated. “Our goal is to make these services accessible and remove any stigma that may prevent youth from seeking the help they need.”
Grace Ngulube from the Kasungu district health office shared concerning statistics, revealing that only 10% of Kasungu’s youth population of 340,256 are currently accessing sexual and reproductive health services. Between July and September alone, the district recorded 2,529 cases of adolescent pregnancies, underscoring an urgent need for intervention.
Ngulube further stressed that increasing young people’s engagement with health services could be crucial in reversing these troubling trends. “We need more awareness and support at the community level to ensure our youth have access to these vital services. Early pregnancies and STIs not only affect individual lives but also place a heavy burden on families and the community as a whole,” she added.
The collaboration between Umunthu FM and YAM marks a significant step toward strengthening reproductive health initiatives in Kasungu, providing youth with resources and knowledge to make healthy choices.
