OGUN SCALES UP CONTRACEPTIVE ACCESS, LAUNCHES DMPA-SC GUIDELINES

By Adenola Orunbo

ABEOKUTA – The Ogun State Government has scaled up its contraceptive access through the launching of Depot Medroxy_Progesterone Acetate Sub_Cutaneous (DMPA_SC) documents, a four-year accelerated introduction and scale-up plan for 2019-2022, in order to increase contraceptive access among women of child bearing age.

DMPA-SC, a newly introduced all_in_one syringe (uninject), creating a single, easy-to-touch product, known as “Sayana Press”.

Wife of the governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, speaking during the launching of the documents, organized in conjunction with Pathfinder International, Nigeria and Family Health Initiative Ogun (FAHIO), held at Mitros Hall, Ibara, Abeokuta, said the implementation of documents would assist the State in reducing Maternal and Child Mortality Rate, and increasing its Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR).

Mrs. Abiodun noted that the State being the first State in Nigeria to unveil the plan would avail more women and youths have access to easily and discreetly self-inject in the home and other convenient locations, rather than go to health facilities to access a family planning services, assuring of her continued support.

“Proper implementation of this DMPA-SC guidelines will expand access and accelerate progress towards Nigeria’s National Family Planning Blueprint, findings has shown that about 27,664 women of reproductive age have been on DMPA-SC, while 228 are on self-injection,” she said.

In her remarks, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker said child spacing was not women alone, but the family and society at large, noting that it was allowed for child spacing and to decide the number and size of the family, which would also translate to socio-economic empowerment.

“In fact, family planning in every society is imperative to decide the economic planning of the family members, and the introduction of the DMPA-SC will also encourage more women to receive contraceptive in confidence,” Coker said.

In his presentation, the Programme Coordinator, Reproductive Health, Pathfinder International, Mr. Yusuf Nuhu appreciated the State government in its efforts to improve the health and well-being of its citizens, saying the State was the first to fully domesticate the national policy that was developed for contraceptive health.

Contributing, the Chairperson, FAHIO, Mrs. Kemi Balogun said the State was in a vantage position to achieve zero Maternal and Child deaths, when human and material resources, as well as fund were mobilized to provide family planning consumables among other necessities for the delivery of effective services.

Highlight of the event was the decoration of Mrs. Abiodun and Dr. Coker as Family Planning Champions in the State.