First Lady, Madam Getrude Mutharika has been appointed as a new patron for Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM).
Giving her acceptance speech at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Friday, Mutharika said she has accepted to be patron of FPAM because the duties of the organization are in line with what she does in looking at the welfare of girls and women in the country.
“I will ensure that Malawians continue to enjoy good health and I will also ensure that FPAM continue serving the nation to achieve its goals,” explained Madam Mutharika.
She therefore encouraged FPAM staff that it is in solidarity that they can work and achieve their goals in providing good sexual reproductive health to people in the country.
Speaking earlier FPAM Board Chairperson, Lilian Ng’oma said the work of Beautify Malawi Trust (BEAM) and that of FPAM are the same as they both strive to improve the health outcomes of Malawians.
“BEAM’s vision of increasing access to participatory and improved sanitation and sustainable community management of waste and waste facilities in Malawi augurs well with the vision of FPAM,” explained Ng’oma.
She added that FPAM as an organization, they are determined to continue providing youth friendly sexual reproductive health information and services to all Malawians.
Ng’oma further said her organization noted the first lady’s commitment to improving the welfare of girls and promoting girl child health and education adding that her passion has also revealed how much she cares for the welfare of women, girls and the future of the nation.
She also said that Mutharika’s nomination as the Vice President of the Organization of Africa First Ladies against AIDS in Africa (OAFLA) gives hope that she will continue advocating for the welfare of women and children at various international fora.
Ng’oma then said it is their hope to work with the new patron to serve the people of Malawi, especially young people and those in the rural areas who struggle for access reproductive health services.
However, Ng’oma said they are planning to reach out to men in the country to help their women to choose the family planning methods they want because most women hide the family planning methods from their husbands in fear of them.
FPAM is a Malawian Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) established in 1999. The organization has seven clinics within the country where they provide information on sexual reproductive health among youths and they have three outreach clinics in Balaka, Mchinji and Mzimba. mana
