Moving Forward: The Path to Sustainable Family Planning Solutions

NFPC 2024

Dec 5

By Onyinye Oranezi, Nigeria Health Watch

Day 2 of the National Family Planning Conference 2024 kicked off with a crucial discussion on private sector engagement in family planning (FP) for improved health outcomes, particularly in light of Nigeria’s FP2030 commitments. The session, chaired by Dr. Abigail Msemburi, addressed the existing gaps in financing and the role the private sector can play in achieving Nigeria’s FP goals.

Dr. Msemburi opened the panel by highlighting the significant funding challenges Nigeria faces in family planning. "The country has 40 million USD worth of FP commodities, but there remains a 60 million USD gap in 2024, with only 12%-15% progress in contraceptive usage," she emphasised. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions and deeper engagement with the private sector.

Challenges in Sustainable Financing

Joachim Chijide from UNFPA shed light on the critical issue of sustainable financing, noting that only 5% of the total health budget for 2024 has been allocated to health, and less than 1% of this is dedicated to FP commodities. He further discussed Nigeria’s reliance on donor funding and the expectation of resources from the federal government. However, Joachim shared that UNFPA has been working closely with the private sector through a newly developed strategy, supported by policies and collaboration with the Federal Government. Initiatives such as hackathons with young people and bilateral interactions for collaborative opportunities with the private sector are helping to drive innovation in FP.

Private Sector’s Role in Scaling Family Planning

Dr. Ann Adah Ogoh from the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) discussed the essential role of the private sector as both mobilisers and implementers in promoting family planning uptake. She emphasised the potential of local manufacturing to reduce dependency on foreign commodities and highlighted PSHAN’s Adopt-A-Health initiative, which focuses on implementing high-quality FP programs.

Dr Sam Oyeniyi from the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) discussed the national policies guiding family planning in Nigeria. He outlined how the development of private sector guidelines, task-shifting, and task-sharing policies has empowered private organizations to contribute meaningfully. Since 2022, several bills have been passed to promote private-sector engagement, and the government is reviewing reproductive health policies to keep them up to date.

Innovative Financing and Inclusion for Women

Abimbola Agbejule, Head of Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility at WEMA Bank shared insights into how financial inclusion can support family planning efforts. WEMA Bank’s "SARA by WEMA" program provides women with the resources to maximize their business and personal potential. Additionally, initiatives like "SoSo Care," a micro health insurance scheme targeting low-income populations, aim to expand access to health services, including family planning.

Addressing Social Norms

A speaker from The Ventures Group focused on the societal challenges surrounding FP in Nigeria, particularly entrenched social norms. They emphasised the importance of changing these norms through media, entertainment, and storytelling. By funding innovative programming, they aim to shift public perceptions and foster a more supportive environment for family planning adoption.

Moving Forward: The Path to Sustainable Family Planning Solutions

The discussions at this plenary made it clear that achieving Nigeria’s FP2030 goals will require robust collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society. The private sector’s innovative approaches, whether through local manufacturing, health financing schemes, or media campaigns, have the potential to bridge the existing funding gaps and promote the uptake of family planning services across all social levels. As Nigeria navigates the challenges of limited public funding and deeply entrenched social norms, it’s crucial that these partnerships grow stronger and more deliberate.

Policymakers, corporate leaders, and community influencers must seize the momentum and commit to scaling these efforts, ensuring that no woman is left without access to essential family planning services. This collective action is not only necessary for Nigeria’s health outcomes but also for the nation’s broader economic and social development.