November 11, (THEWILL) – The partnership between the Sokoto State Government and The Challenge Initiative, a nonprofit organisation focused on family planning, has seen increasing acceptance and uptake of family planning services across local communities in Sokoto State, according to health officials.
Muryam Muhammad, the Family Planning Focal Person at Asara Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Gwadabawa Local Government Area, described the collaboration as a breakthrough in making family planning accessible and acceptable in rural communities.
“This partnership is yielding positive results, with growing community acceptance and without past controversies that surrounded child spacing,” Muhammad stated during an interview with our correspondent in Sokoto.
Through the efforts of community leaders and social mobilizers trained by TCI, households in rural areas now receive daily visits, where they are informed about the benefits of family planning.
These mobilizers also distribute free registration cards and encourage individuals to visit health facilities for services.
Data from Asara PHC reflects a steady increase in family planning uptake, with October alone recording 149 individuals accessing services.
Of these, 126 were new clients, and 23 were returning as scheduled, all with the consent of their spouses, noted Muhammad.
Among the preferred methods, the facility administered Depo-Provera injections to 49 clients, Sayana Press to 19, and implants to 45. Male condoms were also distributed to 70 clients, while intrauterine devices were provided to two.
Muhammad explained that clients come from nearby and distant villages, including Sokoto, Tungar Zomo, Tungar Madugu, and Tudun Doki, among others, highlighting the wide reach of the initiative.
However, the increased demand has put pressure on resources, according to Muhammad’s assistant, Hajiya Safiratu Ibrahim.
“While the daily turnout is encouraging, we’re experiencing a shortage of supplies,” she noted.
She attributed the scarcity to the surge in new clients driven by TCI’s awareness campaign.
To address these challenges, health workers are calling for additional training, a dedicated storage facility for family planning commodities, and the free provision of essential materials such as cotton wool, gloves, and syringes.
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
