March 27, (THEWILL) – The Challenge Initiative (TCI) Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation, has expressed disappointment at the lack of interest, leading to non-investment in family planning by the Akwa Ibom State Government.
According to them, this is shown in the lack of funding and non-procurement of commodities and consumables for family planning services in health facilities in the State.
Giving the expression during a media roundtable on family planning, organised by TCI/Devcoms Group in Uyo, the chairman, TCI Advocacy Core Group, Dr Mandy Ekpenyong, explained that family planning services in the state are only supported by partners who are limited in their operations and cannot give support to all the health facilities in the State.
Dr Ekpenyong, who presented a paper on “Sustainable Investment in Family Planning through the release of funds for procurement of commodities and consumables by Government of Akwa Ibom State” stated that funding and support for programmes and initiatives is aimed at providing access to family planning resources, education and services that promote reproductive health in a manner that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.
She said her expression comes on the heels of a recent survey, which shows that the maternal mortality ratio in the state stands at 762 deaths per 100,000 lives, and the most reliable way of reducing such rate and improving the State GDP is by promoting family planning services.
“It is worth mentioning that many states in the federation, mostly Southern states such as Cross River, Edo, Rivers and Delta, have released funds and procured commodities for family planning services in their states and are rated high by development partners.
“It is our cry as Advocates, that the Government of Akwa Ibom State should consider investing in family planning services as a first line charge in the health budget”, she appealed.
She called on Governments at the national, state and local levels to make conscious efforts to invest in family planning as part of public health policy, to ensure access to contraception and education for all women of reproductive ages, adding that such efforts can lead to improved maternal and child health, reduced healthcare costs, and enhanced economic productivity.
She, however, urged the state government to ensure sustainable investment in family planning through the release of funds for the procurement of commodities and consumables to all healthcare facilities in the State.
The Chairman stressed that Government investment in FP commodities and consumables, though cost-effective, is a high-impact intervention that promotes health, economic stability, gender equity, and national development.
“Ensuring adequate funding and supply chain management for FP commodities is essential for achieving sustainable public health outcomes”, she noted.
