By Ahmed Ahmed
Stakeholders in Bauchi State have called on the government, corporate organisations, and individuals to support and sustain Family Planning (FP) initiatives in the state.
The call was made during a Stakeholders’ engagement meeting organised by the Bauchi State Government and The Challenge Initiative Nigeria (TCI) on Wednesday in Bauchi.
The stakeholders emphasised that with the rising demand for FP services, there was an urgent need to increase supply and ensure sustainability.
Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board (PHCDB), explained that the withdrawal of funding from major international agencies like USAID, which previously played a key role in supporting FP programmes, had created challenges.
He stressed that without sustained local funding and commitment, access to reproductive health services could decline, negatively impacting maternal and child health.
Mr Yakubu Abubakar, TCI Consultant for Postgraduate States, discussed the need to expand access to FP services, especially in rural areas where healthcare infrastructure was limited.
He urged the government to take proactive measures to ensure that family planning commodities remained available and affordable.
Additionally, he called for collaboration among all relevant actors to ensure FP services remained accessible and sustainable for the benefit of the people of Bauchi State.
Abubakar reiterated that family planning was a key component of sustainable development, contributing to better maternal and child health, poverty reduction, and economic growth.
He also advocated for the dissemination of national guidelines to support state-funded procurement of FP commodities.
Elizabeth Kah, a journalist, highlighted the need for increased public awareness about the benefits of FP, including healthier families, economic empowerment, and reduced maternal mortality.
She called for intensified education and advocacy efforts to dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding FP services.
Kah urged the government and other development partners to prioritise FP policies and advocacy.
