Delta govt unveils equipment to ease access to safe contraception

To reduce the burden of Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in Delta State, the State government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhance reproductive health and family planning by ensuring every woman has access to safe and effective contraception.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, disclosed this in Asaba when he unveiled the multi-million naira Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) equipment donated by a USA-based group, Deep Kumar Tyagi (DKT).

Onojaeme while applauding DTK for the much-needed facilities, said the equipment will no doubt aid family planning services in the state, adding that the unwavering support of DKT will assist in meeting the growing demand for family planning services, particularly the LARC methods that are crucial for promoting long-term reproductive health.

The State’s Commissioner, who spoke through the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Philomena Okeowo, said: “Family planning plays a vital role in reducing maternal and child mortality, preventing unintended pregnancies, as well as giving individual and families the freedom to plan their future.”

He said the provision of these communities; coupled with the ongoing training of health workers will empower the trainees with the skills and resources they need to deliver high-quality, client-centred services across the State.

The promotion of LARC methods, he said, is vital as they provide reliable long-term solutions for women who seek to take control of their reproductive health.

The Commercial Director, Deep Kumar Tyagi (DKT) international Nigeria, Macaulay Gory, said the group had trained no fewer than 440 healthcare workers in 11 states, including Delta State, to upgrade their skills in family planning services to the people.

He explained that those from Delta State were selected from 40 primary health care centres across the 25 councils for the training.

Gory said it costs the group, which is currently operating in 43 Countries across the globe N17 million to train each section of the health workers, towards ensuring that no woman dies through childbirth.