Ogun and the Family Planning Crusade

Abiodun Okuboyejo

The clamour by medical experts in the area of reproductive health to make every pregnancy a choice occurrence rather than by accident is one that ought to be heeded by all, particularly couples as this would enhance the socio-economic development of the nation through adoption of Family Planning (FP) methods which have been considered life-saving, money and cost effective.
Though, the fundamental Human Rights of individuals could not be infringed upon as everyone has the right to their lives. However, when there are challenges as a result of the way people live their lives, especially if such poses threat to national development, then the need for caution arises.
Family planning otherwise known as child spacing as an aspect of reproductive health remains a global issue and stakeholders have continued to brainstorm on ways to make its usefulness and significance more known in society for better understanding of the opportunities abound therein.
Family Plannitent has been proven ng is not a novel phenomenon. Our fore fathers adopted traditional methods which to a large extent have been proven ineffective by research.
In recent times, advanced contraceptive methods which make family planning (FP) more effective have been introduced and these address the shortcomings of traditional methods. Such advanced FP methods include: Pills, IUCD, Implant among others.
A survey conducted by United Nations Population Fund Agency ( UNFPA) and some other development partners on health in Nigeria revealed that majority of women of child bearing age and couples are not making use of these contraceptives despite the government’s huge investment therein as well as Non-Governmental Organisations and International Donor Agencies commitments on family planning services and activities.
However, high maternal and child mortality indices, overpopulation, poverty are some of the threats contending with the ability and resolve to make use of family planning services.
Interestingly, the concern of Ogun State Government to improve the health status of its citizenry remains a commitment as evident in the Efficient Health Care delivery program being given priority attention. The program stretches the whole gamut from upgrading of health facilities and hospitals at primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare levels to the provision of essential equipments, drugs and qualified personnel.
In fact, since the inception of the present administration, the Primary Healthcare Services have witnessed a total turnaround as His Excellency,Senator Ibikunle Amosun keeps assuring the people that more is still to come in the area of health care delivery.
On the issue of Family Planning, essential contraceptives are constantly supplied to various health facilities as there are available FP commodities at the reproductive units of Primary health care centres across the state where quality FP services are offered by qualified and efficient officers while training and re-retraining of such officers has also helped to enhance productivity in their respective areas of specialization.
It is also noteworthy to mention that, the Senator Ibikunle Amosun led administration has contributed a lot to reduce the mortality and morbidity rate as efforts are geared to achieve zero level on these through the ‘Gbomoro’, the conditional cash transfer programme that provides succor to the indigent pregnant women and nursing mothers alongside the Community Based Health Insurance Scheme (CBHIS), ‘Araya’.
Therefore, the need for individuals in the state to be concerned on issues relating to family planning is essential to justify the state government’s huge investment in reproductive health care services. It is necessary for every pregnancy to be wanted and not to be unwanted in any way.