June 02, (THEWILL) — The Akwa Ibom State Government has approved and released the sum of ₦35 million as counterpart funding for the procurement of family planning commodities, a move expected to strengthen reproductive healthcare services across the state.
The development was disclosed on Monday by the Regional Programme Manager, South-East of The Challenge Initiative (TCI), Dr Obase Sam, who described the release of the funds into the National Basket Fund as a major milestone in advancing family planning interventions in Akwa Ibom.
Dr Sam said the funding breakthrough followed sustained advocacy by stakeholders, including media practitioners, and commended members of the Akwa Ibom State media team for their role in supporting the campaign.
According to him, the release of the counterpart fund has paved the way for the official commencement of TCI’s Project 2030 in the state.
He noted that the initiative is designed to strengthen family planning programmes, improve access to reproductive health services and contribute to better healthcare outcomes for residents.
The TCI official expressed optimism that the state’s financial commitment would enhance the availability of family planning commodities and support ongoing efforts to improve maternal and child health indicators.
Dr Sam also commended Governor Umo Eno for approving the release of the funds, describing the action as a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to healthcare development.
He further acknowledged the contributions of the Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem Emmanuel, and the Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Eno Attah, towards achieving the milestone.
Obase also expressed appreciation for media partners and other stakeholders whose advocacy and support, he said, helped secure the release of the counterpart funding.
The National Basket Fund serves as a pooled financing mechanism for the procurement and distribution of family planning commodities to ensure sustained access to reproductive health services across participating states.
