FAMILY PLANNING: STRATEGY TO AVERT MATERNAL MORTALITY- EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

The Executive Secretary, Ogun State Primary Healthcare Development Board (OGPHDB) Dr Elijah Ogunsola has said that maternal mortality could best be averted through the uptake of different methods of Family Planning (FP).

          Ogunsola made this known at a Workshop in Abeokuta, organised by OGPHDB, in collaboration with a Development Partner, The Challenge Initiative (TCI), saying the essence of the workshop was to come up with strategic plan for Social Behavioural Change Communication, so as to improve on the Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) in the State.

          He noted that the Senator Ibikunle Amosun administration has made available different platforms, of which the Social Behavioural Change Communication Committee was one, to identify the best communication strategy to adopt for increased Family Planning effectiveness.

          Ogunsola debunked myths and misconception affecting adoption of family planning by some women who believed that if they take up FP, they would develop one health challenge or the other, highlighting some of the advantages of family planning, to include averting unnecessary abortion of pregnancies, prolonging the life of mothers, child spacing for better economic and social life. 

          He commended  the efforts of the State government at ensuring that commodities were made available at all times in all primary healthcare  facilities across the State and also creating an enabling environment for partners and investors.

          Also speaking, the State Programme Coordinator, Mrs. Adebusola Oyeyemi said the Strategic Plan was like a chart in the course of FP communication, adding that it would be a guide for all stakeholders, as well as Development  Partners in the future.

          In their separate remarks, participants at the workshop, Messrs Omotunde Arisekola, Adetokunbo Salami and Miss Boluwatife Fajobi, opined that women of child bearing age required the right knowledge that must be factual and comprehensive, noting that the workshop was apt, as it would ensure that there was a roadmap to encourage the adoption and uptake of FP in the State.