Family Planning: A Shared Responsibility
By Alexander Chiejina, Nigeria Health Watch
Advancing Family Planning: Collaboration, Commitment, and Shared Responsibility
At the 8th Nigerian Family Planning Conference, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, Special Adviser to the President on Health, delivered a compelling call to action. She highlighted the urgent need to address the low uptake of family planning services, stressing the importance of rallying support across national and subnational levels. “It’s time to make things right,” she stated, underscoring that progress lies in building capacity in rural areas and engaging the private sector to advance family planning initiatives.
Dr. Salma also emphasized that family planning is central to Nigeria’s development agenda, urging stakeholders to educate men on their role in making family planning a shared responsibility. Her call for action reflected a holistic approach to tackling challenges and improving health outcomes.
Adding to this narrative, Miles Kemplay, Executive Director of Adolescence at CIFF, announced the organization’s $12.5M commitment to #FP2030. This funding will support the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) across seven states, fostering public-private collaboration to enhance family planning services nationwide.
The conference highlighted a shared understanding: family planning is more than a health intervention—it’s a powerful driver of national development. The way forward demands increased investment, rural engagement, and partnerships to ensure every individual has access to family planning services.
Stay tuned for more community-driven, community-inspired reporting from the 8th Nigerian Family Planning Conference, taking place December 3–6, 2024.