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Health

Why more women are embracing family planning in Osun – Coordinator

 

 

By Victor Adeoti

Mrs Ololade Abatan, Family Planning Coordinator, Osun Ministry of Health, says more women are taking up family planning methods in the state.

Abatan said that due to the present economic situation in the country, more women were now embracing family planning facilities in the state with little mobilisation from the ministry.

The family planning expert disclosed this at a three-day training on media advocacy for family planning in Osogbo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was organised by Development Communication Network, a media-development capacity non-profit organisation, in support of The Challenge Initiative (TCI), also a non-profit organisation.

According to Abatan, the current economic situation is now pushing the family planning message to women without much counselling.

“Considering the situation of the economy, more women are now flowing into the facilities to take up family planning methods with little effort from the ministry.

“We need little effort to push women to come for family planning now, unlike before that we have to mobilise, encourage, educate and counsel them before they come.

“They are now coming out of their shell to pick up family planning methods. The situation of the economy is already pushing the message of family planning to women in the state,” she said.

She, however, urged men to support their wives to take up family planning methods, adding that family planning would not in any way make wives to be promiscuous.

“The orientation that men have is that women become promiscuous after taking up family planning.

“This is not correct and we have been educating our men that the family planning method is not a license for their wives to be promiscuous.

“Rather it is to allow for peace, understanding, and collaboration between husband and wife.

“Family planning is about effective management of the home and we are appealing to our men to support their wives,” she said.

In his remarks, Mr Mayowa Adeniran, media engagement trainer for development communication, said that the objective of the training was to strengthen the capacity of journalists in the area of effective reportage of family planning in the state.

Adeniran said that the training was to equip journalists in the state to be champions and advocates of family planning.

“TCI has been doing a project in Osun for three years now, and there is a need for media advocacy.

“And that is why we are doing this media training for selected local and national media to increase visibility and effective reportage of family planning in the state,” he said.

Also, Mr Olatunde Raimi, TCI research, monitoring, and evaluation technical support lead, in his presentation said that the state expressed interest in the organisation in November 2021.

Raimi said that since then, TCI has supported 40 facilities within 10 local government areas in the state on advocacy for family planning.

“It is a demand driven process which led to the state qualifying for the grant to support the family planning programme,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Nick Nicholas/Tayo Ikujuni

Health

FG, private sector move to boost manufacturing, distribution of contraceptives

By Justina Auta

The Federal Government has announced an intensified collaboration with the private sector for the manufacturing and distribution of family planning commodities to enhance Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Services (SRH) in the country.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, shared this development on Tuesday during the rebranding ceremony of the Marie Stopes International Organisation in Nigeria, now known as MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices (MSIN).

Pate, represented by Mrs Jummai Bako-Aiyegbusi, Director of Nutrition, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to ensuring unhindered access to SRH and family planning commodities for Nigerians of reproductive age.

He emphasised the commitment to working closely with the private sector in various aspects, including manufacturing, procurement, storage, and distribution of family planning commodities.

“The ministry is working to deepen collaboration with the private sector in several aspects, including manufacturing, procurement, storage, and distribution of family planning commodities,” he said.

Dr Salma Anas, Special Adviser to the President on Health, highlighted that the rebranding of the organisation aims to promote the provision of quality SRH services, irrespective of individuals’ locations or socio-economic status.

Emmanuel Ajah, Country Director of MSIN, reported significant contributions in 2022, including supporting over 30 per cent of family planning users in the country and providing SRH services to 3.3 million clients.

He underscored the impact, preventing 3.1 million unintended pregnancies and saving thousands of women and girls from maternal mortality.

The rebranding aligns with MSIN’s vision to meet the contraception needs of 1 in 4 women and girls with a client-centered approach, offering a variety of family planning options within reach.

Prof. Bryan Adinma, Chairman of the occasion, emphasised the importance of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) rights, while Mr Charles Usie, Country Director of Plan International, reiterated their commitment to supporting MSIN in providing SRH and contraception services.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Family Planning clinic
General News

FG, private sector partner to bridge $29m family planning gap

By Oluwafunke Ishola

The Federal Government has partnered the private sector to bridge the 29 million dollars procurement funding gap for family planning commodities to reduce maternal mortality.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said this during a High Level Private Sector Forum on Family Planning on Wednesday in Lagos.

Pate noted that the cost of procurement for family planning products increased from 26.6 million dollars in 2019 to 41.8 million dollars in 2023.

He said that over the same period, procurement funding gap increased from $5.7million to $29 million, making it impossible to achieve full supply of family planning commodities to health facilities.

According to him, the just concluded 64th National Council on Health Meeting approved the request for establishment and funding of Budget Lines for Family Planning at both National and Sub-National levels for the implementation of Nigeria’s Family Planning programme.

He, however, noted that while this was a positive step, effectively addressing the funding and other challenges facing Nigeria’s family planning programme goes beyond the public sector.

“A broad-based stakeholder engagement process involving the public, social marketing as well as the private sectors is required.

“It is important to note that a National Guideline on Private Engagement for Family Planning has already been developed and will be a useful tool in driving this process,” he said.

Pate noted that the forum aims to secure commitment for family planning by private sectors, present family planning investment cases for feedback and discuss plans towards actualising Family Planning target of 2030.

The minister urged that subsequent engagements and efforts be made for a workable roadmap for joint and inclusive implementation towards realising a 27 per cent modern method contraceptive prevalence rate target by 2030.

Pate, represented by Dr Stella Nwosu, Director, Family Planning at the ministry, also called for strategies around innovative financing and technology-driven family planning programmes in the country.

“Actualising local production of family planning commodities in Nigeria should also be on the agenda with international manufacturers being encouraged to go into partnership with Nigerian companies.

“We should also not forget to come up with list of “asks” for government to address towards creating the enabling environment for our ideas to thrive,” he said.

Similarly, the Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr Salma Anas, said the funding gap caused a myriad of challenges to family planning service provision.

Anas explained that it caused attendant impact on other health indices including maternal deaths and support for the actualisation of the reproductive health rights of women.

She said the country was at the critical stage in its potential to reap dividends from its demographic transition.

Anas said available data had shown reductions in overall mortality leading to improvements in life expectancy, with an already bulging youth population.

“Our chance at enabling the country to reap the dividends of this demography lies in our ability to follow this transition with a lower fertility rate, which would enable a greater per capita investment in health, education and other aspects of human development and could lead to huge economic returns for the country,” she said.

Also, Mr Koessan Kuawu, the Deputy Representative, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Nigeria, said family planning would save the lives of thousands of women and girls in communities.

Kuawu said family planning would reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, space pregnancies, empower women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, and improve access to quality healthcare.

He said the UNFPA would continue to work with the government to develop and implement high-impact interventions to accelerate ending of preventable maternal deaths, unmet need for family planning and gender based violence and harmful practices.

Similarly, Dr Owens Wiwa, the Country Director, Clinton Health Access Initiative, said foreign donors provide 88 per cent funding for family planning, stressing the need for domestic funding to cushion the government’s shortfall.

Also, Dr Ejike Oji, the Chairman, Association of the Advancement of the Family Planning, said Nigeria has a population crisis, stressing the use of fertility for population control. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Health

UNFPA, Sokoto government unveil guidelines for enhanced family planning access

By Muhammad Nasir

In a significant step toward advancing family planning initiatives, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Sokoto State Government jointly unveiled the National Guidelines for State-Funded Procurement of Family Planning (FP) Commodities on Thursday.

Leading the unveiling was the State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idris Gobir, who underscored the guidelines’ crucial role in addressing gaps within the family planning supply chain.

Represented by Alhaji Ibrahim Dade-Adare, the Commissioner for Local Government, Gobir emphasised the state’s commitment to addressing healthcare challenges and aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.

Highlighting the importance of family planning in achieving both national and international development goals, Gobir acknowledged the pivotal role of access to contraceptives in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates and fostering economic growth.

He announced the establishment of a dedicated fund for family planning, emphasising specific budget allocation and fund release for procurement purposes.

“This commitment aims to support program trainings, coordination meetings, sensitization, supervision, and Last Mile Distribution (LMD),” explained the deputy governor.

He further disclosed the creation of the Family Planning Technical Working Group to enhance coordination efforts, expressing gratitude to implementing partners supporting the family planning program.

The wife of the state governor, Hajiya Fatima Aliyu, represented by Hajiya Binta Usman, the Executive Secretary of Sokoto Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SOSMEDA), emphasised the pivotal role of family planning in improving societal health and overall family growth.

Aliyu expressed appreciation to UNFPA and other partners for their contributions to the state’s healthcare initiatives.

During UNFPA’s presentation, Dr Audu Alayande, Assistant Representative and Reproductive Health Specialist, recommended the creation of a distinct budget line for Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) activities.

He suggested allocating one percent of the annual health budget, ensuring cash backing for the procurement of family planning commodities.

This collaborative effort sets the stage for a more robust and accessible family planning framework in Sokoto State, aiming to positively impact the health and well-being of its residents. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Bill Gates
General News , Health

Gates Foundation commits $200m to family planning, maternal, child mortality

By Oluwafunke Ishola

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) has announced a 200 million dollars commitment to enhance universal access to family planning products and information.

The foundation disclosed this during the 2023 Goalkeepers Conference held on the margin of the 78th United Nations General Assembly meeting on Wednesday in New York.

The fund would also drive faster delivery of lifesaving health solutions, and a reduction in maternal and child mortality.

The foundation said that the fund was a response to an alarming reversal in progress on Global Goal 3 (Good health and wellbeing.)

“Long-term commitment of up to $100 million to help meet the demand in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for family planning supplies.

“This funding will go to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Supplies Partnership to ensure more women in LMICs are able to access the contraceptives they need and want at a price they can afford.

“Contraceptives are critical building blocks of women’s power and can accelerate progress toward nearly every SDG—whether that’s ending poverty or improving global health.

“This commitment comes at a time when the global funding gap for contraceptives is growing, with the potential to cumulatively reach $1 billion by 2030 if we do not preserve funding and bring in additional support, including through sustainable financing approaches,” it said.

The foundation said that another long-term commitment of $100 million to bring faster access to health products in low- and middle-income countries.

According to BMGF, the funding will go to Unitaid, doubling the foundation’s previous commitment, to support its work to accelerate the introduction and delivery of new lifesaving solutions at equitable scale, including those for maternal and newborn health.

It noted that Unitaid’s unique approach helps reach the health-related targets of the SDGs more quickly.

“Its previous work unlocked access to more than 100 groundbreaking health products, including those for HIV, TB, and malaria; women’s and children’s health; and pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response,” it said.

Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation, said, “Halfway to the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals, our annual Goalkeepers Report shows that on 18 indicators—from poverty to gender equality, education to food security, health to climate—the world is off track.

“But we also see where innovation, investment, and the extraordinary work of passionate changemakers around the world have the potential to turn the tide, saving the lives of two million mothers and babies by 2030,” he said.

Besides, this year’s Goalkeepers Global Goals Award winners, recognised the contributions of six remarkable leaders working in their communities and globally to advance progress towards the UN-SDGs.

The 2023 Global Goalkeeper Award was presented to Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, for championing resilient, equitable, and sustainable universal health coverage for all.

Similarly, the Campaign Award was presented to The Farmlink Project, founded by Aidan Reilly, Ben Collier, and James Kanoff, for its work advocating for and building community around food equity in the United States.

Also, the Progress Award, which celebrates an individual who supports progress via a science, technology, digital, or business initiative, was presented to social entrepreneur, digital innovator, and human rights activist Eden Tadesse.

The Changemaker Award, which celebrates an individual who has inspired change using personal experience or from a position of leadership, was presented to Ashu Martha Agbornyenty for her work reducing high rates of maternal mortality in Cameroon.

The Goalkeepers Lifetime Achievement Award was given to former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, honoring their extraordinary work on disease eradication, mental health, democracy, conflict resolution, human rights, and, most notably, combating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

Goalkeepers Voice Award was presented to Bono, founder of the ONE Campaign and (RED), lead singer of the band U2, and activist, for his significant impact on SDG progress through advocacy and campaigning with ONE and (RED).

Speaking on the Award, Blessing Omakwu, Deputy-Director, Global Content, Campaigns and Goalkeepers lead, said, “This year’s Goalkeepers Global Goals Award winners show us how human ingenuity and innovation can help tackle some of the world’s most difficult challenges.

“Everyone has the power to make a difference in their communities, and these courageous and indefatigable advocates are helping tens of thousands of people live healthier, more productive lives.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants at the Goalkeepers Conference included Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, President William Ruto of Kenya, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and more than 400 global young changemakers. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Health

Market leader tasks women on family planning, commends TCI’s support

By Kemi Akintokun

The Baba-Loja of Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Alhaji Ogundele Olorunfemi, on Wednesday advised women to adopt a family planning method for their well-being.

Olorunfemi spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of a medical outreach on family planning, organised by the Alimosho Local Government in conjunction with The Challenge Initiative (TCI) for women.

TCI is led by the Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the U.S.

Olorunfemi who spoke in Yoruba language noted that gone were the days when people gave birth to many children without spacing them.

“Family planning is very important because people no longer give birth to many children like the olden days where women gave birth to many children.

“If you have family planning, it will help you to plan the number of children you want and how to space then so that as a woman you will enjoy your body according to the health educator.

“The health educators have helped to allay the fear entertained by some of our women who think it is harmful,” he said.

He commended TCI for supporting the government through its collaboration to make family planning accessible for free to women in the area.

A beneficiary of the programme, Mrs Bolaji Oluwatosin, said she decided to go for family planning to avoid the same mistake she made with her previous baby.

“My Last baby was not up to a year before I got pregnant with this new baby I am carrying and I don’t want the same thing to happen to me again,” she said.

Also, Mrs Tawa Sakariya told NAN that family planning had helped her to space her children properly.

“Family planning is very good. My husband and I can cater for our children because we planned the number of children we have due to family planning,” she said.

Speaking also, Mrs Blessing Eze, who is a young mother,  commended TCI for educating them on the benefits of family.

She said, “I have learnt a whole lot about the benefits of family planning and I chose a method good for me based on the counselling from the health educator.’’

NAN reports that TCI health educators sensitised women at the programme on the importance and types of family planning methods available.

A free family planning service which included counselling was rendered to women who participated at the outreach. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

Health

Family Planning: Ogun to address unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortion

By Yetunde Fatungase

The Ogun Government says it will focus and capture more adolescents in its family planning initiatives and programmes, to address spate of unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortion among youths.

The Executive Secretary of the state’s Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr Elijah Ogunsola made this known at a meeting with the Technical Working Group on Reproductive Health, to draft the 2020-2024 Costed Implementation Plan (CIP) on Wednesday in Abeokuta.

Ogunsola noted that the document would be a road map for effective reproductive health and family planning activities.

He stressed the need for sexual and reproductive health education, as well as uptake of modern contraceptive methods for adolescents and women of child bearing age.

He said this would discourage them from patronising quacks, especially patent medicine practitioners.

“Ogun State being a frontliner in family planning programmes, has been proactive and we have what we call the cost implementation plan document that is like an advocacy tool for us.

“The document contains what we actually need to provide comprehensive family planning service for our women, and we have commenced the process of reviewing it to meet the current realities,” he said.

Ogunsola stated that the document when completed, would ensure that youths take informed decisions about their reproductive health, adding that it would also reduce the practice of unsafe abortion and secondary infertility in the future.

Earlier, the state’s Reproductive Health Coordinator, Dr Israel Orire said the meeting would promote coordination and collaboration among implementing agencies and stakeholders.

He said it would also  identify expected outcomes to improve on what had been done in the past, adding that reproductive health was  an integral part of primary health care and should be strengthened to ensure success.

Also, the state’s Programme Coordinator, The Challenge Initiative , Mrs Busola Oyeyemi stated that the past CIP and outbreak of COVID-19 had provided the state the opportunity to identify the needs of adolescents and youths when seeking reproductive health counselling, guidance and family planning uptake.

She expressed optimism that the 2020-2024 blueprint would ensure that they approach the right channels. (NAN)