World Contraceptive Day: Plateau State Govt. Committed to Quality Reproductive Health Services

Plateau State Government says it is working with partner agencies to ensure universal access to quality reproductive health services across the state.

Permanent Secretary, Plateau State Ministry of Health, Hosea Bitrus stated this on Monday during a road walk to commemorate this year’s World Contraceptive Day in Jos, with other partners to create public awareness on the significance of the day.

This he said the state government is strengthening the supply chain for contraceptive commodities so that no woman or young person is denied access due to stock-outs. He said they are expanding community-level education and awareness programs with a focus on youth-friendly services.

Other efforts according to the Permanent Secretary are the integration of family planning into broader primary healthcare delivery to reach rural and underserved population adding that they are also encouraging male involvement and community dialogue to remove stigma and myths around contraceptives.

One of the partners, Deborah Ibezim who represented the Association of Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH Nigeria), commended the Plateau State Government and other partners for being advocates for family planning, calling that all hands must be on deck to raise the awareness on child spacing.

She urged everyone to preach family planning within their reach for people to embrace it in order to have a healthy society.

Mrs. Rahila Telfim who spoke on behalf of the Association for Reproductive Health, appreciated the government for releasing funds for the supply of contraceptive commodities across health facilities in the state.

She also spoke on the different methods of contraceptive which she said are safe, easy, convenient and accessible and encouraged women to key into it.

Malam Umar Farouk Musa who represented JNI and Rev. Dr. Isa Bello from the Christian community all spoke on religious perspectives of child spacing and the need for all religions to embrace it for a better society.

There were goodwill messages from the Director, Plateau State Primary Health Care Board, Nanyak Ladan, Director, Public Health, Dr. Mafwalal Masok and Pharmacist Joshua Davuruk, State Coordinator of Logistic Management Coordination Unit among others.

The World Contraceptive Day celebration in Plateau State started with a road walk from the Federal Library roundabout and terminated at Old Airport roundabout with the participants holding banners and placards distributed flyers to raise awareness about the day.