Radio Program Improves Contraceptive Access for Disabled Youth in Southern Malawi

Frank Thomas, a youth reporter at Gaka FM, edits a youth health program.

Gaka FM in southern Malawi broadcast a radio program last year that has led to significant improvements in contraceptive access for disabled youth in Nsanje District. The program, which highlighted the challenges faced by young people with disabilities in obtaining contraceptives, has prompted positive changes in healthcare services.

Lyton Sekabe, secretary for Mbenje Disability Forum in Nsanje District, praised the impact of the broadcast, stating, "The program you aired has yielded much to us because we can now get help without much barriers."

The radio program also raised awareness among healthcare providers.

Henderson Alufayi, a senior health surveillance assistant (HSA) in Nsanje, acknowledged that Gaka FM's broadcast revealed gaps in their services. He committed to improving care, saying, "We'll be working for the best interest of people with disabilities and make the society better for them."

This development aligns with ongoing efforts to improve healthcare access for persons with disabilities in Malawi. Health Surveillance Assistants, who serve as a crucial link between communities and the formal healthcare sector, play a vital role in implementing such changes.

The formation of District Disability Forums, like the one in Mbenje, has also been instrumental in advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities at the local level.

The positive results of this radio program demonstrate the power of media in driving social change and improving healthcare access for marginalized groups in Malawi.