The Reproductive and Child Health Programme Unit of the Department of State for Health and Social Welfare on Monday, began a community sensitisation on male involvement in safe motherhood in Boraba and Cha-Kunda in the Upper Fulladu District, Central River Region.

The sensitisation exercise was funded by World Health Organisation (WHO).

Speaking at the ceremony, Bafoday Jawara, the Principal Nursing Officer said men involvement in reproductive child health, would go a long way in reducing maternal deaths and pregnancy complications. He noted that, death from many pregnancy complications and child birth were actually preventable and every minute a woman loses her life and joined the call for male involvement in maternal health.

Famara Fatty, the senior nursing officer, said men had important role to play in society, and that they are partners and agents of change. He called on the men folk to support their wives during pregnancy, labour and breast feeding. He also urged them to accompany their wives to clinics regularly.

Mr Fatty also spoke at length on the importance of clinical visits by pregnant women and nursing mothers, which he said, would let the health workers monitor a pregnancy for detection and management of any abnormality or complication that might arise.

Momodou Darboe, the regional public health nurse said, the benefits of enhancing the role of men in reproductive health cannot be over-emphasised saying "they can make tremendous contribution by using their power for positive changes".