Governors in Northern Nigeria have been called upon to prioritize funding for family planning services so as to reduce maternal mortality resulting from unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortion and high fertility rates.
The call was made at a media briefing in Kano on the imperatives of increased public financing for family planning amidst covid19.
According to World Health Organization, WHO, Nigeria has one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the world, accounting for twenty percent of global maternal deaths of which the northern parts of the country take the lead.
The coordinator of Women Integrated Services for Health, Micheal Olawuyi says there is need to improve access to family planning across northern Nigeria where many believe that the practice negates their religion, there by calling for more funding from the government.
Speakers at the briefing said the Covid-19 pandemic has affected peoples’ access to sexual and reproductive services especially family planning leading to an increase in population.
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A gynaecologist, Emmanuel Ajulechukwu, advised people to embrace the modern family planning as this could help the nation to manage its economy and the well-being of the citizens.
Acceptance of family planning among conservative northern families still remains a dream hoped to be achieved soon.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
