The Akwa Ibom State government has pledged to give more attention to family planning services in an effort to boost maternal health and improve the welling of the people.
Ekem Emmanuel, a medical doctor and commissioner for Health, gave the pledge during an advocacy visit by Ibom Advocacy Core Group.
The Commissioner, who assured that the Governor Umo Eno’s administration understands the importance of family planning to maternal health and the economic development added that steps were being taken to address the challenges currently facing its uptake and unmet needs in respect of family planning services.
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He said the Ministry of Health would ensure that funds for the State’s contributions into the National Basket Fund for family planning would be captured in the budget coupled with budgetary provisions for consumables needed for family planning commodities.
Emmanuel said he was optimistic that since Governor Umo Eno prioritises health, the funds when budgeted will be released adding that the ministry will play a key role to ensure a follow-up.
The Commissioner noted that already plans are underway for the employment of 600 health workers with final touches made on rural posting incentives to health workers in the State.
He promised the group of the Ministry’s readiness to deepen collaboration with partners and stakeholders on family planning issues adding that already the ministry is running a open door policy.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Ibom Advocacy Core Group, Mandu Ekpenyong noted that the visit was geared towards putting heads together with the government to see how maternal and infant mortality rate can be reduced in the State through improved attention on family planning.
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Ekpenyong requested the Akwa Ibom State government to join other states of the Federation in the funding of procurement of family planning commodities through the National Basket Fund and also procure consumables needed to administer the commodities.
While commending The Challenge Initiative (TCI), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) for its significant support provided to the State across 10 local government areas, she called on the State Government to show more interest in taking ownership of the work done by TCI as its partnership will come to an end soon
The Advocacy Group Chairman appealed to the government to employ more health personnel, train and retrain health professionals to enhance family planning services in the state.
