….As TCI Drums For Urgent Release Of Funds To Drive, Sustain Programme
Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Edo State Government has promised residents of the state of its commitment to sustain and expand the Family Planning interventions to reduce maternal mortality.
This assurance was given by the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole at a stakeholders meeting on Sustaining Family Planning Interventions.
The meeting which held in Benin City was between the Edo State Government in partnership with The Challenge Initiative (TCI).
The commissioner revealed that TCI has partnered with the state government for four years to address critical gaps in public health landscape.
He said the uptake of family planning services across the local government areas, the dedication and innovation of community based approach brought reproductive health closer to the people, empowered families, strengthened systems and improved outcomes.
“With focus intervention in nine LGA’s, TCI has helped to drive demand creation, improve service and build capacity of health workers.
Dr Oshiomhole added that TCI’s footprints which have become visible in the improved access to family planning commodities and integration of youths friendly services has expanded knowledge of communities on benefits of voluntary family planning.
He said “the ministry took up the challenge of replicating TCI’s model in remaining nine local government areas, we did this not just to match TCI’s efforts but to ensure a state wide reach, one that affirms our commitment to equitable health care access across the 18 local government areas.”
“The results speak for themselves, we have immeasurable increase in contraceptives prevalence, a stronger referral system and an encouraging reduction in unmet needs family planning services”.
The commissioner highlighted that there has been a shift in the mindset of communities towards accepting and owning their reproductive choices which has been guided by adequate information and respectful care.
Also speaking, TCI representative, Mrs Dorcas, appealed to the state government on timely release of funds to drive and sustain the family planning Interventions.
She added that, the state must demonstrate its ability to domesticate and implement the policy guidelines in its operational plans.