From Adam Muhammad, Gusau
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGON), through the Federal Ministry of Health is committed to collaborate with the States and Development Partners such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) towards repositioning the National Family Planning Programme to facilitate the achievement of reproductive health commodity security (RHCS).
The director and head, family health department of the federal ministry of health, Dr. Stella Nwosu stated this at a one day dissemination meeting of the National guideline for state funded procurement of contraceptive commodities held in Gusau the Zamfara state capital Thursday.
She emphasized that the
Reproductive Health Commodity Security will be attained when Nigerians of reproductive age are able to choose, obtain and use family planning commodities of their choice to meet their needs.
“The development of this document was conceived therefore to serve as a standardized framework for harnessing domestic financial resources from the States and FCT for adequate funding of the procurement of family planning commodities which is critical to the attainment of Reproductive Health Commodity Security in Nigeria”. She hinted
Dr. Stella further pointed out 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.
“All States and FCT must therefore take up implementation”.
She commented commend Zamfara State government for being among the first set of States to adopt and disseminate this document. believe that further steps would be taken by the State Government to give effect to the contents of the Guideline with a view to providing adequate funds for procurement of family planning commodities so as to compliment supplies from the Federal Government.
She also lauded the efforts of United Nations Population Fund for its steadfast in supporting the Federal Government of Nigeria and many of the States in the implementation of sexual and reproductive health interventions in Nigeria.
“The organisation’s support in the development of this very important Guideline and its contribution to making this dissemination a reality deserve much appreciation from the Government”.
Let me thank other Partners for the roles they played in the process of developing the Guidelines and other areas of support for Nigeria’s SRH landscape.
She added that the federal government through the federal ministry of health will continuously collaborate and partner with the State and LGA authorities as well as the Development Partners towards the implementation of the Guideline and the attainment of the country’s family planning in particular and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in general.
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.
