NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Kwara records improved family planning activities in 3 years–Commissioner

Kwara records improved family planning activities in 3 years–Commissioner

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By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

The Kwara Government on Tuesday, said the state has recorded improved family planning activities in the past three and half years.

The Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, made this known in her address at The Challenge Initiative (TCI) Next Generation Dissemination and Transition meeting in Ilorin.

According to her, collaboration with family planning (FP) development partners has improved the uptake of FP modern contraceptive methods across health facilities in the state.

She stated that development partners had helped to transform the state’s landscape of family planning and reproductive health services over the past three and half years.

“The collaboration with development partners has improved maternal and child health services, as well as empowered families.

“The partnership between TCI and state ministry of health has been able to scale-up proven-to-work approaches, for high impact practices, which was initially just a theory but now practical.

“Additionally, this partnership has helped strengthen the family planning system and data use; fostered community engagements and demands, and has helped improved resource mobilisation,” she said.

El-Imam called on relevant stakeholders in the state to give renewed pledge to prioritise family health as a cornerstone of development journey.

She also called for integration of these successes recorded by TCI into health programmes and policies and continually innovate to meet the evolving health needs of citizens of the state.

The commissioner enjoined all relevant stakeholders, healthcare workers and traditional rulers to cooperate in ensuring that every Kwara resident has access to quality reproductive health services.

Also speaking, the Director TCI, Nigeria, Dr Taiwo Johnson, commended the state government and its personnel for providing enabling environment for development partners to thrive.

She said that the organisation would continue to support at the back end to see that family planning situation in the state does not go back to what it used to be.

On his part, Mr Kunle Omotosho, a TCI official, described the three and half years’ collaboration of the group with the Kwara government in family planning as “highly beneficial and impactful”.

He called for improved finance and increase in social mobilisation, while he hailed a record of 70 per cent uptake of family planning in the state. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yetunde Fatungase

Kogi Hospital inaugurates dialysis, upgrades equipment

Kogi Hospital inaugurates dialysis, upgrades equipment

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By Opeyemi Aremu

Kogi Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, has commenced full dialysis services following the delivery of a state-of-the-art X-ray digitiser and a 4D ultrasound scan machine, a major boost to quality healthcare delivery in the state.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, the Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr Oluseyi Folagbade, disclosed that the X-ray digitiser was generously donated by EverX Pty Ltd, a reputable Australian-based company.

According to him, the donation stemmed from a long-standing relationship he built with the company during his postgraduate studies in Australia over a decade ago.

“The cutting-edge X-ray digitiser will significantly enhance the hospital’s radiology services and enable the delivery of digital X-rays with greater clarity and speed.

“The new system will expedite diagnosis and ultimately lead to faster, more accurate treatment for patients,” he stated.

Folagbade also announced the arrival of a 4D ultrasound scan machine equipped with echocardiography capabilities.

He described the machine as a high-performance diagnostic tool that would significantly strengthen the hospital’s capacity to manage cardiac-related ailments.

He noted that the milestone aligned with Gov. Ahmed Ododo’s commitment to repositioning the state’s healthcare system through strategic investments and infrastructural development.

The CMD further revealed that the dialysis machines procured under the previous administration of Gov. Yahaya Bello had now been fully installed and were currently in use.

“The commencement of dialysis services has further elevated the hospital’s status among leading medical institutions in the state,” he said.

He commended Ododo for providing an enabling policy environment and infrastructural support that allowed healthcare institutions to thrive in Kogi State.

Folagbade also lauded the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abdulazeez Adeiza, for his exceptional commitment to reform and innovation in the health sector.

He described the commissioner as a reform-driven administrator who had championed the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative using the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp).

According to him, this initiative focuses on health system strengthening, problem-solving, data-informed decision-making, and strategic leadership, all guided by the principles of “one plan, one budget, one conversation, one report, and one voice.”

He noted that the commissioner’s policy direction and supervisory support had been instrumental in the hospital’s recent progress and the broader advancement of healthcare in Kogi State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that since assuming office less than three months ago, Folagbade has initiated transformative efforts aimed at repositioning the hospital for effective, efficient, and modern healthcare service delivery.

With the newly installed facilities and strengthened leadership, Kogi Specialist Hospital is poised to deliver improved health outcomes and contribute meaningfully to the state’s broader healthcare objectives. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Esenvosa Izah/Abiemwense Moru

Expert calls for legal action against health misinformation perpetrators

Expert calls for legal action against health misinformation perpetrators

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By Folasade Akpan

The Coordinator of the Africa Infodemic Response Alliance (AIRA), Elodie Ho, has called for disciplinary action against those promoting and spreading misinformation and disinformation in public health.

Ho made this call on Tuesday during a webinar organised by Nigeria Health Watch, titled “Evidence-Based Frameworks for Networked Infodemic Management.”

She warned that the lack of accountability enabled the continued spread of harmful narratives, which severely affected public health efforts.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information shared without the intent to deceive, while disinformation is false information deliberately spread to mislead.

According to Ho, both forms of information have significantly undermined public health responses around the world.

“The absence of penalties for disinformation allows it to flourish.

“We are left trying to undo damage that could have been prevented.
Legal accountability must be part of the solution,” she said.Ho noted that since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries had struggled to manage the rapid spread of false health information, particularly on social media platforms.

She explained that misinformation had contributed to vaccine hesitancy, distrust in public health institutions, and confusion over treatment protocols—factors that had severely hampered disease control efforts.

To address these challenges, Ho said AIRA had adopted a four-pillar strategy: identify, simplify, amplify, and quantify, to help countries track, analyse, and respond to misleading narratives in real time.

She emphasised that effective frameworks must be practical, adaptable, and implemented across sectors.

“We need to go beyond the health sector. The justice system, education, technology, and communication actors all have a role in building resilience to misinformation,” she said.

In her opening remarks, Mrs Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, said that trust was the bedrock of effective health communication and was easily eroded by falsehoods.

“As the World Health Organisation (WHO) has reminded us, trust is everything. Once lost, it’s incredibly difficult to rebuild,” she said.

She added that the public was overwhelmed and unsure of where to find credible health information, and was seeking honest, empathetic voices to guide them.

“This is why today’s conversation is critical. We must move from ad hoc reactions to structured, scalable systems for infodemic management,” she said.

Ihekweazu stressed the need for evidence-based frameworks that were scalable, adaptable, and rooted in community realities, noting that infodemic management must be an ongoing, networked process, not a one-off campaign.

Also speaking, Mr Aggrey Aluso, Executive Director of Resilience Action Network Africa (RANA), said the world learned from COVID-19 that having facts alone was not enough.

“Truth without structure can be drowned out. In the age of viral lies, coordination is not optional; it is our only difference,” Aluso said.

He called for proactive communication strategies, narrative labs, and pre-bunking efforts to build resilience against false narratives.

Representing the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Mr Michael Okali outlined the agency’s integrated risk communication approach, based on WHO’s model.

He said this included social listening, stakeholder coordination, and strategic communication through diverse channels.

He said the NCDC also partners with traditional institutions, media organisations, and community-based groups to ensure culturally sensitive and consistent messaging across all levels.NAN reports that the webinar brought together experts in health communication, digital technology and policy to explore sustainable, cross-sectoral approaches to countering the infodemic that continues to challenge public health systems globally. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

ACPN advocates tech-driven care, raises alarm over counterfeit medicines

ACPN advocates tech-driven care, raises alarm over counterfeit medicines

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By Folasade Akpan

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) says it is time for the traditional roles of community pharmacists to expand to meet the rising demands of a tech-driven, wellness-conscious population.

The National Chairman of ACPN, Mr Ezeh Igwekamma, made the call in Abuja to announce the association’s 44th Annual International Conference.

The conference is scheduled to take place in July in Awka, Anambra, with the theme: “Technology Integration, Personalised Care: The Future of Community Pharmacy Practice.”

Igwekamma said that the theme reflects the association’s resolve to transform community pharmacy practice into a central pillar of Nigeria’s evolving healthcare delivery system.

According to him, the future of pharmacy lies in embracing digital innovations such as artificial intelligence, telepharmacy, electronic health records and point-of-care testing to deliver data-driven, patient-centred services.

“Personalised pharmaceutical care must take centre stage, ensuring that every Nigerian gets tailored, efficient healthcare support from the pharmacy closest to them,” he said.

He described the surge in fake, substandard, and unwholesome drugs and drinks as a critical public health emergency, requiring stronger regulation and collaboration among stakeholders.

Citing studies dating back to 1988 by the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation, he noted that up to 33 per cent of drugs in circulation were once found to be fake, with seven per cent resulting in fatalities.

He referred to a 1998 review by the University of Lagos which revealed that 49.6 per cent of fake drugs came from Open Drug Markets (ODM), while 32.8 per cent were linked to patent medicine vendors.

Igwekamma said that the late Prof. Dora Akunyili’s tenure at the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) offered hope through a significant drop in fake drugs incidence between 2001 and 2009.

“Unfortunately, we are gradually slipping back to the era when more than 50 per cent of medicines in circulation are fake or substandard, contrary to official estimates of 13 to 15 per cent,” he said.

Igwekamma blamed the situation on the decline of regulatory enforcement by the Federal and State Task Forces, which he described as largely inactive in recent years.

He highlighted a major breakthrough in January 2024, when NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) shutdown the Sabon-Geri drug market following the launch of Nigeria’s first Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) in Kano.

“The CWCs, provided for in the 2015 National Drug Distribution Guidelines, are meant to replace the unregulated open drug markets and sanitise the supply chain,” he said.

He urged the National Assembly to urgently amend the existing Fake Drug and Unwholesome Processed Food Act to make it more effective in tackling the escalating threat.

Igwekamma also expressed concerns about the growing market for fake alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, which he said had become a multi-billion-naira criminal enterprise.

He, however, said that the conference is expected to bring together more than 3,000 local and international delegates, including pharmacists, policymakers, researchers, technologists and health entrepreneurs.

He said that highlights of the event would include a walk against fake and counterfeit medicines, keynote addresses and technical sessions led by global experts in pharmacy and health technology.

It would also feature workshop and panel discussions on innovations, regulatory frameworks and pharmaceutical entrepreneurship.

The chairman called on all community pharmacists, healthcare professionals, industry leaders and development partners to join the conference in order to build a pharmacy model rooted in innovation, compassion, and impact. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu

Don advocates jail time for FGM violators

Don advocates jail time for FGM violators

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By Magdalene Ukuedojor

Prof. Patience Ukiri-Mudiare, a gender specialist and female genital mutilation (FGM) survivor, says those who practice FGM need to be incarcerated as deterrent to end the barbaric practice.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Ukiri-Mudiare said the vile act infringes on rights of children as a vulnerable group and women, who are often forced by norms and cultural practice.

“Some of these cultural practices still go on undetected and underground. So we must fish them out and punish them.

“I also am a victim of that. I have undergone female genital mutilation, but I don’t think it is right. Women don’t need it.

“So any parent that does that, not only should be fined, but jailed.

“By the time they are incarcerated, when they come out, that stigma of having been jailed will maybe caution other parents.

“And we should report, if anybody knows of any person whose child has undergone that female genital mutilation, they should report to the appropriate quarters.

“And so there has to be awareness as to where to go, not just going to the police station; they may not take you seriously.”

Meanwhile the World Health Organisation (WHO) in April 2025 raised an alarm following evidence which suggest that the FGM practice is now increasingly performed by health workers.

The organisation noted that in 2020, an estimated 52 million girls and women were subjected to FGM at the hands of health workers globally.

The organisation, while restating the health sector’s key role in stopping FGM and supporting survivors in several parts of the world, called for urgent measures to curtail rising medicalisation of the practice.

Dr Pascale Allotey, WHO’s Director for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, said FGM is a severe violation of girls’ rights and critically endangers their health, adding that the health sector must be agent for change, rather than perpetrator of the harmful practice.

She added that “evidence shows that no matter who performs FGM, it causes harm.

“Some studies suggest it can even be more dangerous when performed by health workers, since it can result in deeper, more severe cuts.

“Its medicalisation also risks unintentionally, legitimising the practice and may jeopardise broader efforts to abandon the practice.”

She said that for these reasons, WHO’s new guideline recommended professional codes of conduct that expressly prohibit health workers from performing FGM.

The new WHO guideline, titled “The Prevention of Female Genital Mutilation and Clinical Management of Complications”, covers actions for the health sector, governments and affected communities.

The guideline highlights the need for community education and information, alongside effective laws and policies. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Nigeria leads push for sustainable financing, oxygen security in Africa

Nigeria leads push for sustainable financing, oxygen security in Africa

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By Abujah Racheal

Nigeria is taking centre stage in Africa’s effort to build stronger, more resilient health systems.

This is by championing sustainable financing and medical oxygen security at the upcoming Africa Primary Health Care Forum (APHCF) scheduled for July 15 in Abuja.

Dr Francis Ohanyido, Director-General of the West African Institute of Public Health, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.

Ohanyido said that the forum would be opened by Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

According to him, Pate will bring together key stakeholders across Africa to chart a path toward universal health coverage (UHC) anchored on robust primary health care (PHC) systems.

“A major highlight of the event will be the Africa regional launch of the Lancet Global Health Commission Report on Medical Oxygen Security.

“The report underscores the critical role oxygen plays in saving lives, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where shortages contribute to preventable deaths,” he said.

Findings by NAN reveal the Lancet report estimates that 6.8 billion dollars is needed annually to meet the global demand for medical oxygen.

Experts say the target is achievable with greater political commitment and domestic financing.

“Nigeria has taken proactive steps by launching its National Oxygen Strategy as far back as 2016, demonstrating early leadership in tackling this issue.

“Strong primary health care is the bedrock of universal health coverage. Investing in it means healthier communities, better outcomes, and resilience against future health shocks, the minister said in a recent statement.

He said that at the heart of the APHCF was also a strong focus on alignment of donor funding with national priorities.

He said that there was also the need for sound public financial management (PFM) to ensure that health resources were effectively utilised.

“These principles are central to the Lusaka Agenda, a global push for countries to reduce aid dependency and gain ownership of their health systems.

“The key advantage of the Lusaka Agenda is its potential to transform global health initiatives by promoting stronger, more sustainable, and equitable health systems.

“This can be done through a shift towards domestic financing and improved coordination, he said.

Ohanyido said that a flagship plenary session on partnerships would further examine how alignment and transparent financial flows can unlock progress in PHC delivery.

According to him, the plenary will be led by the World Bank and Global Financing Facility, Nigeria, Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, UNICEF, and the Government of Nigeria.

He said that Nigeria’s adoption of the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) in health, where all stakeholders contribute to a unified national health plan, was being held up as a model for effective collaboration.

“The forum’s focus on oxygen access, sustainable financing and alignment could mark a major turning point for Africa’s health systems.

“As countries across the continent grapple with limited resources and high disease burdens, stakeholders say the APHCF is not just a conference, but a call to action.

“Universal health coverage and health security require more than declarations, they demand sustainable, scalable investments in primary health care, The time to act is now,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

Wives of traditional rulers advocate stronger traditional justice system in FCT

Wives of traditional rulers advocate stronger traditional justice system in FCT

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By Philip Yatai

Association of Wives of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Traditional Rulers (WOFCTTRA) have advocated the urgent need to strengthen traditional justice systems in the territory.

The association made the call when its leaders visited the Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi in Abuja.

The Queen of Abaji Chiefdom, Haiya Hauwa Adamu, who is the President of the association, said that strengthening the traditional justice system was a “matter of profound importance” to FCT communities.

Adamu explained that the move would effectively combat Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), gender discrimination, and child marriage among the Original Inhabitants (OIs) of the territory.

She said: ‘As custodians of our cultural heritage and moral values, we, the wives of traditional rulers, have long been the silent witnesses to the challenges faced by women and girls in our grassroots communities.

“Our homes have often served as the first refuge for victims of abuse, yet our voices have remained unheard in the corridors of decision-making.

“Today, we step forward, united and resolute, to advocate for change and work to eradicate incidences of SGBV, gender discrimination and early child marriage in our communities.

“Together, we can forge a society in which every woman and girl in the FCT feels safe, esteemed, and empowered, by harnessing the strength of our traditions to construct a future devoid of violence and discrimination”.

She disclosed MacArthur Foundation, through the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), was already elevating the voices of women, youth, and individuals with disabilities within OIs communities.

She added that initiative was ensuring the integration of PwDs into decision-making processes, thereby advancing the political, economic, and cultural rights of the original inhabitants.

The president explained that WOFCTTRA was established to enhance the traditional justice system for effective and inclusive dispute resolution in communities.

This, according to her, will ensure justice delivery on gender discrimination, SGBV and early marriage of the girl child.

“The association was also established to increase awareness and understanding of gender discrimination and SGBV among the OIs in the six area councils in the FCT.

“We are, therefore, acting as actors and ambassadors in the fight against SGBV, gender discrimination and early marriage.

“We are also Intensifying dialogue among the OIs, FCT Administration, area councils and political representatives at the National Assembly on gender discrimination, SGBV and early marriage,” she said.

She commended Benjamins-Laniyi for the exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to the empowerment of women, serving as a beacon of hope for countless individuals.

She equally hailed the mandate secretary for engaging the wives of traditional leaders in the battle against GBV, describing it as a “robust foundation” for community-oriented interventions.

To achieve more results in their engagement, Adamu solicited technical support and financial resources to conduct training with a view to improve the capacity of members of the association.

She added that the association equally needed resources to conduct periodic awareness campaigns and provide support services for victims of SGBV and other forms of abuse.

“We equally need assistance in monitoring and evaluation to assess the efficacy of traditional justice interventions and ensure accountability,” she said.

Responding, Benjamins-Laniyi, said the women affairs secretariat considered the wives of the traditional leaders as critical stakeholders in the implementation of government policies and programmes at community level.

She added that she was already pioneering the integration of the wives of traditional rulers into the implementation of gender policies and other related laws in the FCT.

According to her, working with the association will not only ensure effective implementation of government policies and programmes at community level but also promote social justice.

She explained that the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat was collaborating with the UN Women, to improve the capacity and advocacy skills of the women.

“This will enable them to speak out and contribute significantly to addressing SGBV and other forms of social ills in their respective communities,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

States showcase innovative financing models for family planning services in Nigeria

States showcase innovative financing models for family planning services in Nigeria

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By Abujah Racheal

Several states in Nigeria on Thursday showcased innovative financing models for family planning services, with a focus on sustainability and increased access.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the models were unveiled at the National Policy Dialogue on Improving Adolescent Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services.

The theme of the dialogue is “Improving Adolescent Access to Quality Sexual and Reproductive Health Services”, organised by Nigeria Health Watch and its partners.

The models showcased include co-financing strategies, public-private partnerships and leveraging existing state structures like the State Annual Operation Plan.

The dialogue brought together experts and stakeholders to explore practical, equity-focused strategies for strengthening SRHR outcomes in Nigeria.

At a high-level stakeholders’ forum, representatives from Kano StateOgun, and the Challenge Initiative (TCI) shared their experiences and innovative financing mechanisms aimed at strengthening local health systems and improving family planning coverage.

Dr Binyerem Ukaire, the Director of Family Health, Coordinating Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, acknowledged Nigeria’s persistent funding gaps but emphasised that opportunities exist for federal support to subnational governments.

However, Ukaire urged states to “take the bull by the horns” by allocating specific budget lines for family planning in their annual plans.

Responding to this call, Malam Aminu Bashir, Permanent Secretary, Kano State, outlined how the state has developed one of the most robust financing mechanisms for family planning in the country.

Bashir highlighted the Common Health Trust Fund, which pools resources from all 44 local government areas and the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR).

“A percentage of this fund is earmarked specifically for family planning services.

“For the first time, Kano State also has a dedicated budget for family planning.

“This is complemented by a tripartite funding mechanism involving the Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationNangwete Foundation, and the state government, allowing for broader support and implementation of SRH programmes,” he said.

From Ogun State, a similar commitment to sustainability was echoed. Dr Tomi Coker, Commissioner for Health, Ogun State, explained how co-financing arrangements supported by TCI helped build internal capacity to cost and procure commodities, shifting gradually from donor-led to state-led procurement.

“Ogun State is now procuring its family planning commodities, and they are free at the point of use to women. “We also leveraged counterpart funding with UNFPA and used the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) to support service delivery, she said.

Other financing innovations in Ogun State, she said include tapping into the Drug Management Agency’s fund for vulnerable groups and engaging the private sector and corporate bodies to recognise family planning as a shared development responsibility.

“Many still think family planning is the donor’s job. We are working to change that mindset.

“We have a budget line, but accessing it can be slow, so we creatively use executive approval limits to ensure supply is not disrupted,” she said.

Speaking on the national impact of these efforts, Dr Taiwo Johnson, National Coordinator of the Challenge Initiative (TCI), provided an overview of the model.

According to Johnson, TCI supports states through a “business-as-usual” model, where states commit their funds to ensure the continuity and sustainability of SRH interventions.

“States must express interest and commit to funding their programmes within three to three-and-a-half years of engagement with TCI.

 “This model ensures that investments are not just donor-dependent but also locally driven and sustainable.”

She added that while challenges such as delayed budget releases and weak political will persist in some areas, TCI has recorded significant wins in others—including improved budgeting practicescapacity building, and increased domestic funding for family planning services.

NAN reports that stakeholders at the event agreed that Nigeria’s health system, especially its reproductive health ecosystem, cannot rely solely on external support.

Subnational commitment and innovation are vital to meeting the country’s FP2030 goals and achieving Universal Health Coverage.

Meanwhile, Mrs Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, also a panel moderator, said, “As we have seen today, different states are finding localised solutions.

“The real challenge now is how to scale these successes and ensure every woman, no matter where she lives, can access family planning services when she needs them.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Survey uncovers persistent barriers to sexual, reproductive health in Nigeria

Survey uncovers persistent barriers to sexual, reproductive health in Nigeria

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By Abujah Racheal

The Integrated Community Listening Survey, conducted by Nigeria Health Watch, has revealed persistent barriers to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), especially among young adults and rural communities.

Ms Anwuli Nwankwo, Knowledge Management Lead, Nigeria Health Watch, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja, at the National Policy Dialogue on Improving Adolescent Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the survey was conducted between March and April 2025 in six states of Lagos, Ebonyi, Cross River, Kano, Niger and Borno, representing the six geo-political zones in Nigeria.

The theme of the event is, “Improving Adolescent Access to Quality Sexual and Reproductive Health Services”, organised by Nigeria Health Watch and its partners.

Nwankwo, in her presentation, said that this was despite the country’s longstanding commitment and programmatic investments in SRHR.

She said that the survey assessed access and barriers to SRHR.

“The cross-sectional study, which drew data from 414 participants, aimed to uncover the realities behind the stagnation in reproductive health progress in Nigeria,” she said.

Nwankwo at the finding’s presentation noted that 50 per cent of participants reported having access to SRHR services and the remaining 50 per cent did not.

She also said that younger individuals aged 18 to 34 faced more significant access challenges.

“Primary healthcare centres remained the first point of contact for most participants, yet many of these facilities could not provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services,” she stated.

The survey also identified cultural beliefs and lack of awareness as the most common barriers to accessing SRHR services.

Other factors she said included distance to health facilities, cost of services, inadequate funding and limited human resources within the health sector.

“These barriers were notably more prominent among respondents aged 35 to 54 who had previously experienced difficulty accessing reproductive healthcare.

“In spite the fact that 81 per cent of respondents said they had not faced any barriers, the remaining 19 per cent who did, pointed overwhelmingly to socio-cultural and informational obstacles,” Nwankwo said.

Alarmingly, she said that younger participants, those aged 18 to 34, were disproportionately affected, suggesting that Nigeria’s youth continued to face systemic challenges in realising their reproductive rights.

She said that the survey’s findings also highlighted that maternal and infant mortality, unintended pregnancies and policy implementation gaps were key consequences of these access barriers.

“While primary health centres dominate as first-access points, their effectiveness is undermined by entrenched systemic and social limitations.

“There is an urgent need for a more targeted and culturally sensitive approach,” she added.

Nwankwo urged the government and development partners to prioritise investment in awareness campaigns, community engagement and health system strengthening.

She further recommended that the country should expand SRHR education through culturally appropriate communication strategies.

She emphasised the need to strengthen the primary healthcare system to deliver integrated reproductive health services, in addition to calling for leveraging mobile health solutions to reach remote and underserved areas.

Nwankwo urged stakeholders to address the economic burden that prevents many individuals from accessing SRHR services.

While the study provided critical insights, she also acknowledged its limitations, such as lack of qualitative depth and the absence of health provider perspectives.

“We identified a lack of awareness as a common barrier, but we couldn’t fully explore why. Is it due to weak public campaigns or community gatekeepers restricting information flow?” Nwankwo asked.

NAN reports that without in-depth understanding of the study cautions, interventions risk being misdirected or ineffective.

However, the findings, experts and stakeholders said, offered a foundation for more data-driven, inclusive policymaking that could help bridge the access gap and strengthen Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring SRHR.

NAN recalls that the National Policy Dialogue hopes to confront the alarmingly high adolescent fertility rate of 117 births per 1,000 on girls aged 15 to 19.

It will also address the low up-take of modern contraceptives among sexually active, unmarried adolescent girls, which stood at just 7.8 per cent. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited Francis Onyeukwu

MSH takes AMR campaign across 4 states

MSH takes AMR campaign across 4 states

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By Abujah Racheal

Management Sciences for Health (MSH), an NGO, has started a grassroots sensitisation campaign in a move to tackle the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the country.

The campaign is in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

MSH’s Animal Health Advisor, Dr Ibrahim Dauda, who made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, said the campaign started in January.

Dauda said that the initiative, also conducted in collaboration with the Fleming Fund Country Grant II and other partners, was being carried out across Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Kano, and Kwara States.

He said that the campaign brought together 200 poultry and fish value chain operators, who were trained on the responsible use of antimicrobials, biosecurity practices, vaccination strategies, and surveillance reporting.

According to him, the participants are empowered to become AMR ambassadors, committed to cascading the knowledge gained to their communities.

He said that MSH ensured that the campaigns were interactive, aided experience sharing and data collection to help identify knowledge gaps, particularly regarding antimicrobial misuse.

Dauda said that the campaign revealed that many participants were unaware of the long-term risks associated with indiscriminate antibiotic use.

“The misuse of antibiotics in agriculture remains a silent driver of AMR in Nigeria.

“Many farmers administer antibiotics without veterinary guidance, putting animal and human health at risk.

“To reinforce the message, specially developed jingles in local languages are set to hit radio waves and social media platforms.

“WhatsApp groups and community engagement efforts will ensure sustained dialogue among stakeholders,” he said.

The advisor said that as Nigeria braced to host the 2026 Global AMR Conference, the localised initiative underscored the country’s readiness to lead by example in curbing a global health crisis.

“We now understand that AMR is not just a science problem, it is a behavioural and communication problem too,” he said.

He said that the campaign marked a significant step in Nigeria’s AMR containment strategy, emphasising education, policy advocacy and sustained public engagement.

According to him, the country hosting the high-level meetings marks a historic milestone, reflecting its rising leadership in the global fight against AMR.

“AMR remains one of the most pressing global health and development threats, contributing to over 1.3 million deaths annually; weakening health systems, and threatening food security worldwide,” Dauda said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to the medicines used to treat them.

This makes infections harder and sometimes impossible to cure.

AMR leads to prolonged illness, higher medical costs and increased death rates.

In Nigeria, it caused over 263,000 deaths in 2019, surpassing those from malaria and tuberculosis.

Key causes include overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals, poor infection control, weak enforcement of regulations, and public misuse of drugs.

Tackling AMR requires a One Health approach, engaging the human health, veterinary, agriculture, and environmental sectors, especially the private sector, which delivers over 60 per cent of health services in Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Esenvosa Izah/Kadiri Abdulrahman

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