*As Kaduna gear up for child birth spacing
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The need for Kaduna state
government to cash back approved N250 million for the procurement of child birth spacing commodities owning to its importance to families has been advocated.
This was made known at a press conference addressed on behalf of Family Health Advocates in Nigeria Initiative, (FHANI), in Kaduna yesterday.
The Secretary of the FHANI, Benjamin Yunana Maigari who signed the text of the press briefing noted that the civil society organization (COS), promotes family Health and has been an advocate of child birth spacing as a means of reducing the burden of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity.
“Family Health Advocates in Nigeria Initiative FHANI is a civil society organization registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria.
“It promotes family Health and has been an advocate of child birth spacing as a means of reducing the burden of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity.
“Investing in child birth spacing will reduce maternal mortality by 30% thereby improving the health indices of the state.
“Kaduna State under the leadership of the then governor, Mal. Nasir Elrufai in 2021 approved the sum of 250 million Naira for the procurement of child birth spacing commodities.
“The State government was then celebrated and commended by local and international organizations for being the First State in Nigeria to make that commitment which set precedence for other States to follow”, he said.
He also said due to the procurement law of Kaduna State, the money, though approved, wasn’t cash backed and a guideline to facilitate the cash backing of the money was adopted by the Kaduna State government on 20/12)22.
“This guideline will enable the State to procure the commodities through the FP basket managed by UNFPA. The amount if cash backed, will be paid to the Family Planning funding basket managed by UNFPA on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“States like Ogun, Lagos and Gombe which copied from Kaduna State have since paid-in their money into the basket and procurement made on their behalf
“During conferences and international gatherings on Family Planning, Kaduna State continues to become a laughing stock due to its inability to cash back the money despite being the First State to be internationally recognized in Nigeria to be given a go- ahead.
“The present government of Mal. Uba Sani during its campaign had promised to sustain the development of its predecessor and we have already started seeing that in areas of rural development.
“We know the present Administration is committed to the health of its citizens, especially women and children of kaduna state.
“As an organization based in Kaduna State we understand the current economic situation of the state and as such, we are calling on the Kaduna State Government as a matter of urgency to Cash back the 250 million Naira this year in installments, instead of the lump sum taken into consideration, the many demands chasing the meager resources available to Government.
“By so doing, the integrity of the state government will be maintained at both local and international community.
Kaduna State is an acclaimed pace-setter in all policies and programs in this country which we strongly believe will not be derailed by the present Administration of Mal. Uba Sani”, he added.
