United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has emphasised the critical role access to family planning information and services play in curbing mortality rate during childbirth in Nigeria.

Gender/reproductive health analyst, UNFPA, Esther Somefun, stated that case studies show that 3.5 million pregnancies could be avoided and more than 31,000 women in Nigeria saved from dying if all women were able to plan their families, give birth through and have access to modern family planning.

This was at the Family Planning Hackathon, themed ‘Creating Innovative Solutions to Increase Access to Family Planning’ organised by Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, UNFPA, Microsoft Engineering Team in Lagos, yesterday.

She said that health economists estimate that if investment worth about $603 million is put into family planning, many women would not die at child birth.

She, therefore, said that technology and innovation is a catalyst and accelerator to reducing maternal mortality.

“We are gathered to explore domestically developed technological invasions that we are sure would facilitate access, increase demand and uptake to family planning in Nigeria.”

“UNFPA seeks to achieve three transformative results; ending un-met need of family planning, unwanted pregnancy and all forms of violence and harmful traditional practices,” Somefun said.

Executive Director, Hacey Health Initiative, Rhoda Robinson, said the hackathon sought a sustainable solution to ensure Nigeria meets its family planning target and spotlights innovation that addresses such challenges in the society.

She said 14 finalists proffer locally produced solutions which would be relevant in the society.

Innovation Team Lead, African Development Center (ADC), Microsoft Engineering Team, Nkem Nweke, emphasised the importance of building local solutions that solves the regions peculiarity and can be relevant to the global markets.

He said innovation should be meaningful, applicable and responsible.