The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire says achieving the 27 per cent Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) by 2024 is possible.
He said this while launching a book entitled “Family Planning for A More Productive Nigeria,’’ at the ongoing Nigeria Family Planning Conference 2020 in Abuja.
He expressed willingness to collaborate with relevant partners and stakeholders in the procurement and distribution of family contraceptives, aimed at achieving the 27 per cent CPR.
“I must commend UNFPA, USAID and others for their support in the procurement and distribution of family planning baskets as well as funding since 2011.
I believe achieving the 27 per cent CPR by 2024 is possible with their support,’’ he said.
The minister, who applauded the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to the issues of population management, described it as a critical component in national development.
He urged all stakeholders to work in synergy in achieving improved family health for all homes, especially women and girls using family planning.
According to him, self services for family planning are essential and make it rewarding during emergencies as COVID-19.
Ehanire said: “COVID-19 caused disruptions to health system like lockdown but also increased the need for family planning’’.
The Emir of Tsonga, Alhaji Haliru Yahaya stressed the need to close the gap in the zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet needs for family planning and zero unmet needs for gender based violence.
Yahaya said that continuous advocacy was not negotiable in ensuring peoples’ access to family planning.
“Let us change the name from population control to population management, so that people, especially in Islam will accept it.
Ms Ulla Muller, the Country Representative, UN Population Fund (UNPA) said that access to family planning reduced maternal mortality rate by 25 per cent.
Muller who reiterated the determination of the UN to continue to support Nigeria in advancing family planning, said it was critical in preserving mothers for their children.
She said that family planning was paramount in achieving Demographic Dividend as well as the 16 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Family planning is an enabler to achieving the 16 SDGs and poverty will reduce,’’ she said.
She said that procurement of contraceptives was critical in safeguarding the future by involving women.
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