Lagos domesticates National Reproductive Health Policy

The Lagos State Government has domesticated the National Reproductive Health Policy to enhance reproductive healthcare, particularly in family planning, safe motherhood, and adolescent reproductive health services.

The National Reproductive Health Policy seeks to ensure availability and access to full sexual and reproductive health information and quality services.

Lagos in collaboration with the Saving One Million Lives Programme for Results (SOMLPforR), partnered on the policy to strengthen reproductive health services, according to a statement by Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, Director, Public Affairs, Lagos Ministry of Health.

The Programme Manager, SOMLPforR, Dr Mazeedat Erinosho, said the domestication of the policy would ensure a structured framework that improves service delivery across healthcare levels in the state.

Erinosho emphasised the importance of integrating Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) into the policy framework.

“We acknowledge the role TBAs play in maternal care, but it is crucial they are properly trained and regulated. Encouraging them to register with the government will reduce complications and ultimately save lives,” she said.

She noted that teenage pregnancy remained a growing concern, stressing that the policy would provide targeted interventions to address the health needs of adolescent mothers.

“By recognising the specific needs of this group, we can create strategies that support young mothers and significantly reduce maternal mortality in this demographic,” she said.

According to her, the domesticated policy would serve as a foundation for improving overall reproductive health indicators in Lagos.

“This initiative will strengthen family planning services, enhance responses to gender-based violence, and ultimately lead to better maternal and child health outcomes,” she said.

Similarly, Dr Kelvin Otumunye, Safe Motherhood Programme Manager at the state Ministry of Health, said the domestication of the policy was not merely about adopting national guidelines but modifying them to suit Lagos’ unique healthcare landscape.

“Lagos has a high population density and an advanced healthcare system, requiring policies that directly address its peculiar challenges,” he said.

Otumunye highlighted key focus areas such as maternal mortality reduction, perinatal death surveillance, and strengthening family planning services.

“Reproductive health in Lagos goes beyond maternal care; it encompasses addressing gender-based violence, improving perinatal care, and ensuring access to contraceptive options,” he said.

Otumunye noted that the policy framework would be implemented in phases, starting with strengthening existing health facilities and expanding access to reproductive health education.

“Through increased awareness and healthcare accessibility, we expect to see more women utilising family planning services and reduced cases of maternal complications,” he said.

Also, Dr Olayinka Atobatele, a public health consultant, described the initiative as a transformative step toward improving reproductive healthcare in Lagos.

“The 2017 National Reproductive Health Policy is being revised to include updated strategies that ensure better maternal and child healthcare access,” she said.

Atobatele said the revised policy would ensure improved family planning services, safe motherhood initiatives, and post-abortion care.

“By creating a more inclusive and adaptable policy, we can ensure that reproductive health services cater to all groups, from teenage mothers to older women,” Atobatele said.