Federal Government has expressed its commitment to repositioning the National Family Planning Programme.
This was disclosed by the Director, family health department, federal ministry of health, Dr Stella Nwosu during the opening ceremony of a one-day meeting on ‘Family Planning Dissemination of National Guidelines for State-Funded Procurement of Family Planning Commodities’ held in Gusau, Zamfara state.
Nwosu explained that the federal government through the federal ministry of health would collaborate with the states and development partners towards achieving the said goal.
“I see this meeting as a very important one as it would be the beginning of the process of ensuring sustained availability of family planning commodities and services through timely and adequate procurement of commodities using funds appropriated by the states.
“Let me remind you that family planning is globally recognized as an important strategy for the prevention of maternal morbidity and mortality.
“The Government of Nigeria has long recognized this fact and it has been supporting interventions aimed at increasing the delivery and uptake of family services by Nigerians of reproductive age across our various communities.
“I wish to take you down memory lane, 2011 precisely April 7th the Federal Ministry of Health through the Honourable Minister of Health, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria declared FP commodities free at all public health facilities.”
Nwosu explained that since the implementation of the ‘Free FP commodities policy’, demand for services has increased exponentially leading to the huge increase in funding required for procurement of the commodities.
“In the light of the above, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGON), through the Federal Ministry of Health is committed to collaborating with the States and Development Partners such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) towards repositioning the National Family Planning Programme.
“It should be noted that proper implementation of this guideline by the state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is necessary for the achievement of our Family Planning Goal of 27% modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (mCPR) by the year 2030.”
She commended the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF)which has been steadfast in supporting the Federal Government of Nigeria and many of the states in the implementation of sexual and reproductive health intervention.
“I assure all partners of the Federal Ministry of Health, on behalf of the government to continuously collaborate and partner with the state and LGA authorities as well as the development partners towards the implementation of this guideline and the attainment of the country’s family planning in particular and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in general.”
She further commended and appreciates the Zamfara for being among the first set of states to adopt and disseminate this document.
Earlier on, the programme coordinator and head of office, Kaduna sub-office, Nigeria, United Nations Family Planning (UNFPA) Ms.Loide Akongo commended the Federal Ministry of Health on the development of the important guidelines which are critical in repositioning and strengthening national FP programme.
She stressed that family planning is not only a matter of human rights; it is also central to women’s empowerment, reducing poverty and achieving sustainable development.
“While family planning or access to contraceptives is an essential part of maternal and child health care and can help in reducing maternal and infant mortality as well as averting adolescent pregnancies.
“Not only is a woman and the entire family able to decide on the number of children, but women are better enabled to complete their education; women’s autonomy within their households is increased; and their earning power is improved.
“This is why family planning has been at the heart of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) since the beginning of its operations in 1969.”
In his remarks, the permanent secretary ministry of health, Zamfara state pharmacist Aliyu Maikiyo applauded the contribution of partners in the dissemination of the national guidelines for state-funded procurement of family planning commodities in the state.
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