Bauchi State Government has increased budget allocation to Family Planning services from N75 million in 2023 to N120 million in 2024.
Governor Bala Mohammed stated this at the dissemination meeting of the Women’s Integrated Services for Health (WISH) Project determined by MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices in Bauchi State held Tuesday in the banquet hall of the Government House.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Barr Kashim Ibrahim Mohammed, the governor said the reason behind the increase is to support extensive training, awareness creation and supportive supervision and dissemination of the National guidelines for State-Funded procurement of FP commodities.
He noted that the government is committed to providing the needed policies and strategic plans that will enhance the lives of the people and ensure growth and development in the
“It is important to note that in Bauchi State, our policy direction is regularly geared towards addressing the prevailing outcry in our various policy initiatives and programs, this project therefore represents a significant step forward in ensuring that every woman has access to high quality sexual and reproductive health services.”
Mohammed added that the implementation of the project underscores the government’s commitment to excellence in reproductive healthcare intervention, through implementing rigorous quality assurance measures.
“We will ensure that all family planning services provided in the State meet the highest standard of safety, effectiveness, and patient-centered care.”
The Governor stated that the state with support from development partners has been working to see family planning information, services and commodities being provided free at all public sector health facilities a situation that has increased the uptake of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC) services to 83,126 in 2023 from 56,304 in 2021.”
He further noted that the lifting of over a decade embargo on employment saw the employment of 1,500 health workers comprising Nurses and other health professionals to curb the incessant scarcity of human resources of health,
Re-introduction of a pre-service scheme where Doctors, Nurses, Midwives and other health professionals in training are given automatic appointments.
To avert periodic stock-out of FP commodities, the State Government said it has continued to provide FP commodities to over 600 health facilities across the State with support from partners.
Bauchi State Commissioner of Health, Dr Adamu Sambo said the Women’s Integrated Services for Health (WISH) project is an attestation of the State government’s open-door policy and commitment to partnerships.
He noted that the MSI Nigeria WISH project, addresses gaps in knowledge and access to contraception, STI prevention, and other reproductive health needs of women of the State.
It is also to address stigma through education and community engagement thereby having an Impact on Maternal Mortality and Morbidity, as well as Youth-Friendly Services.
“We recognize the significance of the transitioning of 24 health facilities in the state to our government. This is an efficient strategy for ensuring the sustainability of beautiful interventions like the WISH project.”
He commended Governor Bala Mohammed for providing the needed support, especially by increasing the budgetary allocation to FP from 75 million in 2023 to 120 million in the year 2024.
Country Director of MSI Nigeria, Emmanuel Aja explained that one of the aims of the WISH project is to enhance the government’s ownership of Sexual and Reproductive Health Service provision and supervision mechanisms.
He said it also aims to adopt suitable methods of creating awareness and acceptance among the people regarding family planning and services uptake by changing some social norms that otherwise discourage them.
By Lizzy Carr
