Family Planning: A Catalyst To Economic Development – Ogun Govt.

ABEOKUTA – Ogun State Government has described Family Planning (FP) as a catalyst to boosting the economy, as it will enable couples decide the spacing of their children and provide protection against unplanned pregnancies, thereby reducing family expenses, as well as enable them contribute meaningfully to the development of the State and aid population control.

The Executive Secretary, State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola stated this during a training workshop on Long Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC), organised in collaboration with MarieStopes International, a Development Partner on Family Planning, for selected Nurses and Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs), in Ijebu Ode, saying FP would also afford couples, families and individuals, especially women of child-bearing age to take charge of their sexual and reproductive health.

Dr. Ogunsola noted that the training was timely, as it would improve their competencies, build robust relationship between health workers and clients, as well as maintain a high level of professionalism in family planning health service delivery, adding that participants would be expected to demonstrate what they had learnt before certification.

Also speaking, the External Engagement and Communication Manager, South-West, MarieStopes International, Mr. Abimbola Faloye, commended government on its various efforts at improving the wellbeing of the people, noting that the State had shown commitment in ensuring that people have access to FP, despite the pandemic.

He said the training would add value and bridge the capacity gap of health providers in the State, saying it was important to increase their numbers, as well as improve health services.

Speaking on behalf of participants, Mrs. Titilope Omotayo and Damilola Bankole, appreciated government and MarieStopes for organising the workshop, saying it had increased their knowledge, communication skills, attitude towards clients and their choices, as well as support clients before, during and after uptake of FP methods.