Group moves to end family planning barriers in Taraba 

The Taraba State Family Planning Advocacy group has taken steps to frustrate barriers militating against the success of family planning services in some parts of the state.

One of the plans is the engagement of relevant stakeholders, including media practitioners drawn from the various media organisations in the state. The group also plans to interface with the State Behavioural Change Committee (SBCC) for the production of messages on FP and Adolescent Reproductive Health.

Disclosing this at their just concluded maiden meeting, held at the Conference hall of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (TSPHCDA), the group also agreed to collaborate with development partners saddled with the responsibility of providing family planning services in the state to actualise their mapped out plans. 

Vowing not to leave any stone unturned in using their various platforms to promote FP services in the state, they enjoined the state government to put in place materials that would encourage access to the facilities. 

Sharing their experiences on the just concluded facilities tour to both Iware and Sibre health facilities in Ardo-Kola local council, the group, which observed the difficult terrains as another major factor hampering rural dwellers from accessing the services, beckoned on the state government to rise up to the challenge by providing access roads to such areas.

The Challenge Initiative (TCI) Technical Support Lead-Service Delivery Officer, Dr. Nshe Muknaan David, charged the group not to relent in their collective efforts to promote family planning services in the state. 

Urging them not to be “afraid of talking about contraceptives,” sexual behaviours, according to him “is more than just contraceptive issues.”