Stakeholders Brainstorm In Abuja On Challenges of Family Planning
2 years ago 3 min read
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Stakeholders in the health sector across the world will, on Thursday in Abuja, brainstorm on the challenges of family planning actions and initiatives in Nigeria.
The conference, put together by the Nigeria Family Planning Conference (NFPC), is being hosted by the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP) as part of its 8th biennial conference.
According to the organisers, the event is designed to catalyse sustained commitment and collaborative action among stakeholders to advance progress in family planning initiatives in Nigeria.
The focus is centered on bridging the gap between policy intentions and effective service delivery.
The event, which will be chaired by a former Health Minister, Prof Isaac Adewole, will have the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Ms. Amina Mohammed delivering the keynote address.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; chairman of the National Population Commission, Nasir Isa Kwara; Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas; chairman Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ipalibo Banigo will be attending the event.
Others expected at the conference are representatives of international donor agencies like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Children Fund International and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The 8th Nigeria Family Planning Conference whose pre-conference activities commenced on Monday 2nd December with ‘Women Pre-conference’ and ‘Youth and the Interfaith Pre-conference’ on 3rd December 2024, will usher in the major events slated for 4th through 6th of December, 2024.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the Nigeria Family Planning Conference, Dr. Ejike Oji, said the event serves as a critical intervention amidst Nigeria’s economic downturn.
It will be addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by households, health facilities, institutions and the government.
Orji said by focusing on sustainable commitment and advancing progress in family planning, the NFPC aims to alleviate the burden on households grappling with increased financial strain and food insecurity.
“Access to affordable contraceptives and comprehensive family planning services can empower families to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, thereby reducing the economic strain associated with unplanned pregnancies and larger family sizes.
“Moreover, by controlling birth rates, families can better allocate limited resources, ensuring that essential needs such as food, education, and healthcare are met even in times of economic hardship.
“Furthermore, the NFPC provides a strategic platform for bolstering the capacity of health systems to cope with the challenges exacerbated by the prevailing economic downturn.
“By advocating for increased funding and resources for family planning programmes, the conference aims to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure, enhance service delivery and improve the accessibility of contraceptives, particularly in underserved communities,” Orji said.
The conference, which slated to hold at the Abuja Intercontinental Hotel, is designed to allow for both physical and virtual participation.
