By Ann Azuka
As Delta celebrates this year’s World Contraception Day, the Permanent Secretary Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency (DSPHCDA), Dr Jude Winful-Orieke has declared that more than 65,000 young women have accessed contraception in the past six months in the state.
The Permanent Secretary, represented by the Director, Community Health Services, Dr Paul Yinkore, stated this in Asaba during the celebration to mark the World Contraception Day, with it’s theme, “Breaking Myths.”.
Winful-Orieke expressed optimism that access to contraception would ensure reduction in incidence of unplanned pregnancies, HIV/ AIDs and sexually transmitted disease(STDs) among young women.
He posited that the event was centered on improving awareness on the importance of contraceptive use by people of reproductive age
According to him, every Sept. 26th has been set aside as the World Contraceptive Day (WCD).
“The day has been established by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in 2007 and adopted by governments of nations including the Federal Government of Nigeria as an annual worldwide event.
“Between January and June, 2022, the Delta state reached a total of 65,737 people of reproductive age with modern contraception.
“Out of the number, 36,237 were new acceptors while 29,500 persons came for revisit.”
He said, “the goal is that “every pregnancy is intentional, desirable and safe.
“Contraception allows people of reproductive age to plan child bearing with the reduction of high risk pregnancies, maternal and Child mortality.
“It helps in prevention of unplanned pregnancies among teenage girls.
“It helps girls stay in school, work and gain social and economic empowerment.
“It ensures sustainable progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.”
The permanent secretary also said that marking the day helps in the promotion of Informed decision making by women and girls about their sexual and reproductive health.
“Thus, it is worthy of note to reemphasis that women and girls deserve access to quality and accurate information on safe, effective, affordable and acceptable contraception of choice.
“Such information as recommended in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.7.
“It sates that by 2030, universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services, including Family Planning, Information and Education, and the Integration of Reproductive Health into National Strategies and Programmes is ensured.
According to Winful-Orieke, this is a clarion call for a multi-sectorial approach towards achieving this SDG set goal.
“All of us, individuals, organizations and government are invited to support this drive.”
He said that the state government was committed in its drive for attaining the Universal Health Coverage(UHC).
“Delta government is committed to a further reduction of its maternal mortality ration from 576 per 100,000 live births in year 2022 to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.
” The Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa led government provides free maternal care services (ANC and Delivery), HIV/AIDS care, voluntary counseling and treatment, family planning services as new acceptors of family planning have increased over the years.
“The state collaborates with relevant partners, individuals and community representatives to serve its people.
“The DSPHCDA provides family planning services and other PHC services through regular in-reach and out-reach points.
In their different remarks, Dr Phillet Kunu, Executive Secretary, Oshimili South LGA Primary Health Centre(PHC) and the partners; Mr Daniel Zibe of Marie Stope and Vincent Ugo, of Society for Family Health, pledged their commitment to ensure a hitch free family planning programme in the state.
On her part, Dr Weyinmi Francis, Reproductive Health Coordinator, DSPHCDA, described the event as a huge success, adding that Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa and his wife have been dedication to ensure that people plan their families in the state.
According to her, the people of the state have embraced family planning as it is essential for all citizens must embrace it to ensure happy and health family living.
However, the Coordinator Family Planning of the Agency, Mrs. Patience Eke who educated the participants on the need for proper family planning said listed various methods available to include implant, male and female condoms, IUCD, injectable, pills, among others, adding that they are for free for willing uptakes.
According to her, government provided the commodities and made the programme free for all childbearing adults to encourage child spacing, prevention of unwanted pregnancies and diseases.
