Merck Foundation Urges Media to Increase Coverage of Infertility Issues Affecting 1 in 5 Couples in Malawi

Malawi: The Merck Foundation has urged the media to report more on issues related to infertility, which is reportedly affecting one in every five couples in Malawi, writes Tionge Hara.

This was announced by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, the Chief Executive Officer of the Merck Foundation, during a virtual media training session held this morning.

The training session was organized by the Merck Foundation in collaboration with the Media Council of Malawi and First Lady Monica Chakwera, who is also an ambassador for the "More Than a Mother" campaign.

Dr Martha Masamba, a lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, stated that 29% of couples in Malawi suffer from infertility.

She emphasized the need to break the stigma surrounding infertility and highlighted the importance of educating the masses on safe sex, unsafe abortions, and poor nutrition as the most significant contributing factors to infertility.

Dr Masamba advised couples to maintain a healthy weight, avoid alcohol, and smoking, and exercise moderately.

He also urged men to take responsibility for dealing with infertility.

Dr Janita Neermul Bhujunba, Medical Officer and Health Officer at Brown Sequard Mental Health Care in Mauritius, also stated that 17 million couples worldwide suffer from infertility, and it's a challenge for both males and females.

Wisdom Chimgwede, the chairperson of the Media Council of Malawi, emphasized the crucial role of the media when it comes to these issues.

He agreed with the CEO of the Merck Foundation that more reporting and writing on these issues should be done by online platforms, television, and radio stations as a way of breaking the stigma.