As part of measures geared towards sensitizing the people on family planning in Edo State by way of achieving the goal of contraceptive prevalence rate, the sustainable Health family and maternal support initiative (SHFMSI) has organized a 3-day family planning enlightenment programme for stake holders across the 18 Local Government areas in the State
Themed; Bridging the Gap between knowledge and practice of family planning: Lessons from Godwin Obaseki led administration example, Executive Director SHFMSI, Comrade Aliu Akokhia noted that the prevalent death rate which mainly occurred in the society from easily preventable complications were largely due to limited access to poor quality Primary Health Care (PHC) service which he viewed as evidence based health care offered to citizens in their respective locations.
He noted that over 200 million women globally desire to prevent pregnancy but lack access to effective, affordable and modern means of contraception, Comrade Akokhia maintained that Godwin Obaseki Led administration has demonstrated its commitment towards achieving the goal of contraceptive prevalence rate in the state.
He asserted that family planning plays a pivotal role towards the reduction of maternal mortality in the society, adding that the PHC remained a visible and necessary tool for reducing high maternal rate in the country as evident in the establishment of functional PHC facilities across Edo State under the Edo State Primary Health Development Agency and the National Health Insurance Scheme.
He used the occasion to laud the role of the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu in Making Edo Great Again (MEGA).
In his presentation on supporting Government effort in improving family planning service in the private sector: A presentation for initiative for the development of next Generation NEXTAGE, George Omodiagbe underscored the State government effort towards adopting new approaches with a view to addressing and meeting the needs of women in the health care sector which he said resulted in the prioritization of sexual and reproductive health services in the State.
Omodiagbe recalled that before the advent of the present government in the State, there was lack of equal distribution of contraceptives services to couples in the State.
This he opined prompted the adoption of a mechanism of Community based health programs with couples of reproductive age by the Civil Society Organisation (C.S.Os) and Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOS).
He said the State Ministry of Health and the Edo State Health Insurance Agency, through the primary Health Care Development Agency had been pushing through in the area of Basic Health provision Fund, adding that such approach cum policy of the government would help in increasing access to health Care Services, especially among the indigents rural people.
Also, Mrs. Ojo-Edokpayi Sarah harped on the need for such health care centers which hitherto were moribund across the rural dwellers to be revamped with adequate modern facilities as well as ensuring free drugs/medicare for special cases.
The Nurse Educator underscored the importance of knowledge of reproductive health/family planning for young persons, saying, “By having the right knowledge of reproductive health and family planning will make them responsible in choosing behaviors and lifestyles that are not at risk”.
High point of the event was the presentation of awards to participants.
