NGO Urges State Governments to Provide Family Planning Commodities in PHCs
The Challenged Initiative (TCI), a Non-Governmental Organization in Nigeria, has called on state governments to ensure the availability of family planning consumables and commodities in Primary Health Centres (PHCs). This appeal was made to address the growing demand for family planning services and to reduce maternal mortality and unwanted pregnancies among women of reproductive age.
Dr. Taiwo Johnson, TCI Director for the Nigeria Hub, made this appeal during a facility tour of PHCs in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. She highlighted the urgent need for state governments to sustain family planning services initiated by donor partners, particularly as the TCI program is set to end in the states it operates.
Dr. Johnson expressed concern that if state governments fail to maintain these services, they risk reverting to the previous status quo, which could negatively impact maternal health outcomes. She noted that the Federal Government only provides 13% of the necessary commodities for family planning, emphasizing the need for state-level planning and domestic funding to ensure a continuous supply.
“The Federal Government can only provide 13% of the commodities needed for family planning,” Johnson stated. “It behoves states to develop a plan for procuring these commodities and to seek domestic funding to sustain it.”
The TCI Director commended the dedication of health workers who have continued to provide services despite limited support. She also pointed out that every woman deserves access to family planning, which she described as a critical tool for reducing maternal mortality by allowing women to have children by choice rather than chance.
“Family planning is a low-hanging fruit for reducing maternal mortality. It ensures that women can access necessary services without charge when they visit a facility,” she said.
In their remarks, the officers in charge of PHCs in Ewet Offot and Ikot Ebido, Mrs. Rose Okon and Mrs. Enobong Umoren, respectively, noted an increasing acceptance of family planning among women. However, they lamented the inadequate supply of commodities and consumables, while praising TCI for their contributions so far.
Dr. Johnson’s visit underscored the importance of sustaining family planning services and the role state governments must play in providing essential commodities to improve maternal health outcomes.
