The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has expressed its commitment to continuously supporting Bauchi State in delivering effective and efficient family planning services. This assurance was made by Dr. Ummulkrusum Bajoga, UNFPA Family Planning, Reproductive Health, Commodity Security Specialist, at a four-day training of stakeholders on Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) to Family Planning in Bauchi State. The training aimed to create awareness and ensure that clients receive their rights when visiting health facilities for family planning services.
Dr. Bajoga emphasized that the training was crucial in understanding the human rights-based approach and the gender-transformative approach to family planning. She expressed hope that by the end of the session, Bauchi State would be one of the states where everyone can exercise their rights regarding family planning. The UNFPA specialist appreciated the participation and commitment of the participants, assuring them that UNFPA would continue to support Bauchi State. This commitment is in line with UNFPA's goal of promoting and improving reproductive health outcomes.
The training, which was attended by various stakeholders, including representatives from the State Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, State Primary Healthcare Board, and Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), was commended by participants. Easter Patrick, State Coordinator of Women Mediators and Secretary of Retired Women in Government, commended UNFPA for the training, saying it has opened new vistas in her activities. She promised to sensitize and create awareness among the Mothers-in-Law forum on the need to allow their daughters-in-law access to family planning services.
Adamu Abdulkadir Degri, Regional Coordinator, North-East, of PPFN, also commended the organizers of the workshop, describing the theme as timely and relevant. He assured of PPFN's continuous commitment to partnership in promoting and improving reproductive health outcomes in the state and the country at large. The collaboration between UNFPA and PPFN aims to enhance access to quality family planning services in Bauchi State.
Samira Abdullahi, Director, Public Health, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, stressed the importance of family planning in public health services. She assured that the Ministry would continue to collaborate with UNFPA and other donors in providing adequate information to clients who intend to access family planning services across the state. This collaboration is expected to improve the overall health and well-being of residents in Bauchi State.
Other participants, including Habila Adamu, Deputy Director and Gender Desk Officer, Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, and the State Chairperson of the Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), commended the organizers of the training. They assured that their organizations would encourage access to family planning services and methods of choice for the good of the family. The training is expected to have a positive impact on the uptake of family planning services in Bauchi State.
The Executive Director of the Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD), Elizabeth Kah, assured that her organization would continue to give visibility to the programs and projects of UNFPA in the state. She commended UNFPA for giving J4PD support to be part of its program implementation in the state. J4PD will embark on advocacy, awareness creation, and effective reportage of family planning issues to ensure that clients become conversant with it in ensuring quality family health.
Key points
- UNFPA commits to supporting Bauchi State in delivering quality family planning services.
