Abuja – The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has identified universal access to family planning as key factor in reducing poverty and maternal mortality and morbidity.
The Fund’s Country Representative in Nigeria, Mrs Ratidzai Ndhlovu, disclosed this at the 3rd annual family planning consultative stakeholders meeting on Thursday in Abuja with the theme “Evidence based family planning programming 2016 and beyond.’’
Ndhlovu said other benefits of family planning include improved womens’ health, child survival and HIV prevention.
She explained that with improved access to modern contraceptives for sexually active adolescents and youth, there would be improved attention to education and fewer unintended pregnancies, among others.
She added that “family planning has proven to benefit women’s health, child survival and HIV prevention.
“It has also benefitted sexually active adolescents and youth to increase their opportunities, including longer time dedicated to education and fewer unintended pregnancies.
“It also improves healthier start to childbearing and greater ability to engage in income-producing activities, thus contributing to the economic development of great nations.’’[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
Ndhlovu noted the contributions of the Fund in family planning to include the procurement of contraceptives for Nigerians throughout the states of the federation.
She said that the organisation had also supported the distribution of family planning commodities to states and health facilities.
She attributed the successes in this regard to supports from development partners and collaboration with the federal and states’ ministries of health.
Ndhlovu expressed the commitment of the Fund to continue to support government toward the realisation of the set target of having contraceptive prevalence rate of 36 per cent by 2018 to reduce maternal mortality. (NAN)
