SOGON-PAS CONDUCTS MEDIA ENGAGEMENT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY PLANNING AND THE NEED FOR TIMELY RELEASES OF FAMILY PLANNING FUNDS

Project Director of SOGON-PAS, Dr Habib Sadauki, was live on Tuesday, August 25th at National Television Authority (NTA) studios in Abuja. Dr Habib went live to discuss the importance of family planning and the need for the timely release of family planning funds

Dr Saduaki stated that access to family planning helps a woman to avoid unplanned and unwanted pregnancy because unplanned and unwanted pregnancies most times end up with unsafe abortion which may put the mother’s life at risk.

When asked by the presenter about the state of maternal health in COVID-19. In response, Dr Habib Sadauki pointed out that COVID-19 exposed the weakness of our health system in Nigeria. He stated that every attention was on COVID-19 and access to health services was low because some hospitals were closed down and were converted to isolation centres making it difficult for most women to access health care during pregnancy and delivery. The lockdown also affected movement and because of the restriction, most women were unable to access health care. Also he stated that the lockdown affected Family planning clinics and this may give

rise to unwanted pregnancies because many women were denied access to contraceptives.

To mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on maternal health, Dr Habib Sadauki recommended that funding for FP should be increased and released on time so that women especially those in hard to reach areas will have access to FP services. He advised that states should take the issue of family planning as a priority.

In conclusion, Dr Habib Sadauki advised that from the lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic, the government needs to improve on our facilities, employ more providers and pay attention to maternity homes and ensure that they have the right supply.

If you would like to watch the full interview, please follow this link.