Donors Agency Seeks For Health Project Sustainability

ABEOKUTA – A call has gone to Government at all levels to sustain donors’ supported health projects to enable more residents’ access efficient health care services.

This indication emerged in Abeokuta during a close-out meeting organized by Pathfinder International, Nigeria, for Family Health Initiative Ogun (FAHIO), a Non-governmental advocacy working group in the State.

Speaking at the event, the Program  Officer, Reproductive Health/Family Planning, Pathfinder International, Nigeria, Mr. Yusuf Nuhu opined that  the Federal, State and Local Governments would be at advantage when human and material resources were made available for implementation of health programmes, such as Family Planning, without relying on donors’ support.

Nuhu added that prompt release of fund for Family Planning programmes, procurement of consumables, regular capacity training of health workers, establishing robust relationship with government and private media organizations, among others would help the State deliver its targeted Contraceptive Prevalence Rate soon.

”Engagement  and support for NGOs,  CSOs  and other key stakeholders is also an avenue for the government to sustain partners’ supported health projects”, he submitted.

Earlier in her remarks, the Chairperson, FAHIO, Mrs. Kemi Balogun said the group had changed the landscape of Family Planning in the State, adding that it would continue to explore opportunity  the public  and  private sectors could offer for improved reproductive health care.

In his presentation, the Secretary, FAHIO, Rẹvd. Olajide Odugbemi while highlighting the achievements of the organization to include, creation of budget line  and improved funding for Family planning programmes, domestication of Task Sharing and Shifting Policy and others, said contributions of philanthropists, traditional and community leaders, private organizations has made the advocacy effort successful.

Odugbemi lauded the support of Pathfinder International, Nigeria and other donors agencies in  the course of promoting Family Planning in the State.

In their separate remarks, some members of FAHIO, Mrs. Elizabeth Ikeobi and Mr. Olufemi Olusola commended the State government for creating enabling environmental for the group to operate, assured of member’s commitment to improving reproductive health indices.

Highlights of the meeting were a review of proposed documents and drafting of 2022 work plan.