An NGO, Marie Stopes International (MSI) Nigeria, in collaboration with the Bauchi State Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, on Friday, inaugurated a Challenge Fund Project (CFP) on Child-Birth Spacing (CBS).
The project is funded by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), an independent philanthropic organisation.
It is aimed at expanding access to family planning services, particularly in underserved communities.
Speaking at the project’s inauguration, MSI Nigeria Country Director, Mr Emmanuel Ajah, described CFP as a significant step toward ensuring last-mile access to family planning services.
Ajah said that the initiative would benefit seven states, including Bauchi, noting that
“the targets are first-time parents and adolescents; the project will support two mobile outreach teams, strengthen 400 public sector health facilities.
“It will also engage 50 “MS Ladies” trained community-based providers, delivering reproductive health services.”
Ajah emphasised that the project aligned with Nigeria’s goal of achieving a 27-per cent modern contraceptive prevalence rate by 2030.
He stressed the need for government ownership through sector-wide approach to ensure long-term sustainability.
The Bauchi State Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Sani Dambam reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to quality healthcare delivery.
He highlighted some of the reforms in the health sector, saying that “some of the state reforms on health include the N250 million capital investment in the drugs, medical consumables and management agency.
“The state had been consistent in allocating 25 per cent of the state budget to the health sector.”
Dambam expressed appreciation to MSI Nigeria for selecting Bauchi as one of the beneficiary states and pledged full support of relevant health agencies for effective project implementation.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Giade Local Government Area and representative of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Usman Mohammed applauded MSI Nigeria’s contributions to reproductive health.
He noted the growing demand for CBS services in Bauchi State, but identified persistent shortages in commodities as major barrier to service uptake.
Mohammed reaffirmed ALGON’s commitment to promoting increased access and uptake of healthcare services across the state.
NAN
