From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Family Health Advocates in Nigeria Initiative (FHANI) on Monday, March 17, called on the Kaduna State Government to commit at least N100 million annually for family planning commodity procurement.
The appeal comes as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) launched a multi-year investment plan to procure additional family planning commodities for Kaduna State.
While commending the initiative, FHANI emphasised the need for the state government to take proactive steps to ensure the sustainability of family planning commodity procurement.
FHANI Secretary, Benjamin Yunana Maigari, noted that relying solely on donor-funded programmes poses a long-term risk to reproductive health services.
According to him, investing in family planning would reduce maternal and infant mortality, strengthen the health system, enhance economic development, and ensure sustainability.
The group specifically urged Governor Uba Sani’s administration to institutionalise the cash backing of budgetary allocations for family planning within the state’s health financing framework.
FHANI also called on the state government to strengthen supply chain mechanisms, partner with private sector stakeholders to mobilise additional resources for family planning programmes, and ensure that commodities reach last-mile beneficiaries efficiently.
“The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), has launched a multi-year (2024–2029) investment plan to procure additional family planning (FP) commodities for Kaduna State.
“The first batch of these commodities has been procured and handed over to the state government, ensuring last-mile distribution to public health facilities.
“The over-reliance on donor-funded programmes poses a long-term risk to reproductive health services.
“To ensure uninterrupted access to FP commodities, the Kaduna State Government must take proactive steps by committing at least 100 million naira annually for family planning commodity procurement.
“By taking these bold steps, Kaduna State can lead the way in sustainable family planning financing, ensuring that no woman is denied access to the reproductive health services she needs,” Maigari emphasised.