Ogun Assembly Assures Group Of Promoting Family Planning Programmes
A family planning advocacy working group in Ogun State, Family Health Initiative Ogun (FAHIO), has received nod of the state House of Assembly Committee on Health, for an increase in state government funding for the provision of family planning kits and consumables to state health facilities across the state.
The indication was brought to the fore, during the group’s delegation visit, led by its Chairperson, Mrs. Oluwakemi Balogun, to the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital.
Mrs. Balogun, in company with other members of the group, said it was imperative for the state’s three arms of government and public-spirited individuals to support the initiative of the group through the provision of adequate funds and logistics for reproductive health activities that would cater for maternal, child and adolescent healthcare.
She stated that funds release for family planning programmes were inadequate, which occasioned insufficient family planning kits and consumables in public health facilities in the state, calling on the state government to prioritize the health of women of childbearing age, to enable them have access to free and qualitative family planning services.
According to Balogun, “In recent times, more families and women have realized the need for family planning or child spacing due to its derivable benefits. However, it is important for the state government to ensure proper budgeting and prompt release of funds for procuring kits, consumables and other necessary items that would enable women to get free and quality family planning services services in all government health facilities across the state’’.
Responding, Chairman, State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Hon. Wahab Haruna, said the assembly lawmakers placed premium on the health of residents, noting that several worthwhile legislations had been made to strengthen the health sector of the state.
Hon. Haruna, and other members of the committee, which include, Hons. Tella Babatunde, Yusuf Sherif, Lawal Samusideen, Fola Salami, Odunuga Kaka, and Yusuf Sheriff, Hon. Babatunde emphasised the need for the present administration to increase funding for the health sector, particularly in the area of family planning services, in order to improve maternal and child healthcare, as well as increase life expectancy.
The Committee Chairman, Hon. Haruna assured the group of the assembly’s support in promoting family planning and other healthcare programmes in the state, urging health workers to complement the state government’s efforts in the delivery of quality health services to the people.
