Commission wants immediate action on FP, population issues Mr Eze Duruiheoma, Chairman, National Population Commission (NPopC), has called on all stakeholders, partners and donor agencies to take immediate action in resolving present challenges of Family Planning (FP) in Nigeria. The chairman made the call at a symposium to mark the 2017 World Population Day (WPD) with the theme: “Family Planning, Birth Spacing: Empowering People, Developing Nations” in Abuja on Tuesday. The symposium was organised by the commission in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Federal Ministry of Health and other partners. Duruiheoma explained that the fight for the full implementation and use of FP methods in the country was for the benefit of citizens especially those at the grassroots level. He said these individuals were the most affected by lack of knowledge of the numerous benefits of FP and low availability of family planning commodities like contraceptives. Duruiheoma therefore urged stakeholders, donor agencies and partners not to relent in the struggle to provide these commodities and improve awareness on the benefits of the intervention. “For the past one week, we have held discussions, rallies and so on to discuss issues relating to population. “I want us to use this forum today to fashion out ways were all the issues discussed and canvassed can be synthesised and made actionable. “In the last three years, we have continued to discuss issues relating to population and after this discussion the issues are forgotten but this will not be allowed to happen again. “This time the issues discussed will need to be implemented. This fight is not for us but for those behind the scene that is those at the grassroots. “How do we help them, how do we reach out to them, educate them in order for them to make informed decision about their lives and families for the betterment of the nation,” Duruiheoma said. He said that the theme for the 2017 WPD was very apt for Nigeria because of the very large and still growing population making it difficult for the nation to achieve and sustain development, manage economic crisis and various health problems. He said having a large population only was not as beneficial as having a population with more educated and self-reliant individuals hence the need for FP. Dr Mairo Mandara, the Country Director, BMG), said FP and birth spacing helps husbands to safeguard the health and well-being of their wives and children. Mandara said it allows couples to plan financially and emotionally for their next child, plan the timing and size of the family in order to earn better living and prevent poverty. “Family planning guarantees quality reproduction that translates into quality population and quality workforce for achieving accelerated economic growth and enhances prospects of realising demographic dividend. “FP is a life-saving intervention and the core pillar of safeguarding motherhood because it saves women’s lives, saves the lives of new-born, infants and under five. “FP reduces deaths from HIV/AIDS, promotes economic and social development that contributes to eradicating extreme poverty; it also reduces youth dependency ratio facilitating investment and savings. “FP empowers people especially women and girls to realise their full potentials and contribute to the wealth of the nation,” Mandara said. She said as women gained access to reproductive resources, they also report better health outcomes, achieve higher levels of education and experience a lower incidence of intimate-partner violence. According to Mandara, the total cost of investment in the procurement of contraceptives for the public sector from 2011 to 2016 by government and donors was $64.491 million, saving government $828 million in investment. She said this investment in FP created a reinforcing cycle of empowerment, supporting healthy, educated and economically productive women and families. The country director therefore called for more advocacy and deployment of the media to create and implement elaborate awareness and sensitisation particularly in rural communities. She also called on the legislative arm of government, religious leaders and traditional rulers to work with the Federal Government and civil society organisations to encourage full practice of FP and birth spacing. She said this would help Nigeria become a prosperous nation. The post Commission wants immediate action on FP, population issues appeared first on Vanguard News. For More details click the green link via Naijapounds

Mr Eze Duruiheoma, Chairman, National Population Commission (NPopC), has called on all stakeholders, partners and donor agencies to take immediate action in resolving present challenges of Family Planning (FP) in Nigeria.

The chairman made the call at a symposium to mark the 2017 World Population Day (WPD) with the theme: “Family Planning, Birth Spacing: Empowering People, Developing Nations” in Abuja on Tuesday.

The symposium was organised by the commission in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Federal Ministry of Health and other partners.

Duruiheoma explained that the fight for the full implementation and use of FP methods in the country was for the benefit of citizens especially those at the grassroots level.

He said these individuals were the most affected by lack of knowledge of the numerous benefits of FP and low availability of family planning commodities like contraceptives.

Duruiheoma therefore urged stakeholders, donor agencies and partners not to relent in the struggle to provide these commodities and improve awareness on the benefits of the intervention.

“For the past one week, we have held discussions, rallies and so on to discuss issues relating to population.

“I want us to use this forum today to fashion out ways were all the issues discussed and canvassed can be synthesised and made actionable.

“In the last three years, we have continued to discuss issues relating to population and after this discussion the issues are forgotten but this will not be allowed to happen again.

“This time the issues discussed will need to be implemented. This fight is not for us but for those behind the scene that is those at the grassroots.

“How do we help them, how do we reach out to them, educate them in order for them to make informed decision about their lives and families for the betterment of the nation,” Duruiheoma said.

He said that the theme for the 2017 WPD was very apt for Nigeria because of the very large and still growing population making it difficult for the nation to achieve and sustain development, manage economic crisis and various health problems.

He said having a large population only was not as beneficial as having a population with more educated and self-reliant individuals hence the need for FP.

Dr Mairo Mandara, the Country Director, BMG), said FP and birth spacing helps husbands to safeguard the health and well-being of their wives and children.

Mandara said it allows couples to plan financially and emotionally for their next child, plan the timing and size of the family in order to earn better living and prevent poverty.

“Family planning guarantees quality reproduction that translates into quality population and quality workforce for achieving accelerated economic growth and enhances prospects of realising demographic dividend.

“FP is a life-saving intervention and the core pillar of safeguarding motherhood because it saves women’s lives, saves the lives of new-born, infants and under five.

“FP reduces deaths from HIV/AIDS, promotes economic and social development that contributes to eradicating extreme poverty; it also reduces youth dependency ratio facilitating investment and savings.

“FP empowers people especially women and girls to realise their full potentials and contribute to the wealth of the nation,” Mandara said.

She said as women gained access to reproductive resources, they also report better health outcomes, achieve higher levels of education and experience a lower incidence of intimate-partner violence.

According to Mandara, the total cost of investment in the procurement of contraceptives for the public sector from 2011 to 2016 by government and donors was $64.491 million, saving government $828 million in investment.

She said this investment in FP created a reinforcing cycle of empowerment, supporting healthy, educated and economically productive women and families.

The country director therefore called for more advocacy and deployment of the media to create and implement elaborate awareness and sensitisation particularly in rural communities.

She also called on the legislative arm of government, religious leaders and traditional rulers to work with the Federal Government and civil society organisations to encourage full practice of FP and birth spacing.

She said this would help Nigeria become a prosperous nation.

 

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