Sokoto releases N30m to strengthen family planning

The Sokoto State Government has released N30 million as part of its commitment to sustain the provision of family planning commodities and services across the state.

The Executive Secretary of Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SSHCDA), Dr Larai Tambuwal, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Sokoto.

Tambuwal commended all stakeholders for the achievement, stressing that the release of funding was a sequel to the establishment of a dedicated family planning fund and budget announced by Gov. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto last year.

She said the effort was to support the current Family Planning and Last Mile distribution infrastructure in recognition of the social, economic and development challenges faced by the state.

The Executive Secretary noted that it was a significant step toward advancing family planning initiatives after the joint unveiling of the National Guidelines for State-Funded Procurement of Family Planning Commodities by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Sokoto state government.

She highlighted that the creation of a Family Planning Technical Working Group would continue to guide the coordination of stakeholders.

In a separate interview, Ms Gloria Enueze, UNFPA’s programme officer for Sokoto state, said the approval of the cash backing was in line with UNFPA Nigeria’s recommendation for the creation of a distinct budget line for Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) activities at the state level.

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Enueze said the suggestion for allocating one per cent of the annual health budget was to ensure cash backing for the procurement of family planning commodities.

According to her, this will enable the health and development benefits of family planning to be accessible at the state and national levels.

She explained that the investment would help in ensuring continuous availability of contraceptives, enabling individuals and families to make informed choices about their reproductive health.

”This milestone aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen supply chain systems, enhance service delivery, and improve health outcomes across the state.

”As a strong advocate for commodity security, I commend this proactive step and look forward to sustained funding for family planning programmes.

”This collaborative effort sets the stage for a more robust and accessible family planning framework in Sokoto state, aiming to positively impact the health and well-being of its residents,” Enueze said.

She thanked all stakeholders working tirelessly to advance access to quality reproductive health services in Sokoto state, urging them to sustain the efforts to make a difference in society.