NPC Commissioner harps on need to increase percentage of contraceptive usage in Oyo

With the findings that an estimated 225 million women in developing countries are not using any method of contraception, though they would like to delay or stop childbearing, a call has been made on the need to increase the usage of family planning methods to prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce maternal deaths.

The call was recently made by the Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC), Oyo State, Dr Tayo Oyetunji during a programme to mark this year’s World Population Day at House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan, the state capital.

He also expressed the need for an increase in the usage of contraceptives among married women in Oyo State beyond the current 37 per cent level.

The Federal Commissioner described the theme of this year’s World Population Day, which is “Family Planning, Birth Spacing: Empowering People, Developing Nations”, as a reflection of the importance of family planning  and child spacing as tools for empowering women especially, and enhancing national development.

“Although modern contraceptive use has nearly doubled worldwide from 36 per cent in 1970 to 64 per cent in 2016, there is still a long way to go to ensure that all women enjoy their rights to decide whether, when or how often to become pregnant.”