The Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SSPHCDA), in collaboration with The Challenge Initiative (TCI), recently organized a sensitization program for Ward Development Committees (WDC) to enhance awareness and utilization of family planning services across the state.
Speaking at the two-day event, Dr. Bello Mohammad Kilgori, the TCI Manager in Sokoto, explained that TCI operates in ten local government areas, including Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Kware, Gwadabawa, Silame, Tambuwal, Wamakko, Wurno, Bodinga, and Dange/Shuni.
Dr. Kilgori highlighted that the primary goal of the engagement is to raise awareness of the benefits of family planning and improve access to these services. He emphasized the importance of educating communities about the advantages of child spacing, debunking myths, and promoting available contraceptive options.
During the meeting, stakeholders discussed the role of community resource groups in providing credible information on childbirth spacing. They recognized the WDCs as trusted sources within their communities and urged them to play a critical role in promoting reproductive health.
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The WDCs were also encouraged to organize campaigns, workshops, and home visits to educate people on the benefits of childbirth spacing and reduce misconceptions. Participants at the meeting agreed that advocacy visits by the committees would help dispel myths surrounding contraceptive use and foster a positive social attitude toward family planning.
Bala Gadanga, the WDC Chairman for Sokoto South Local Government, stressed the importance of these advocacy visits in encouraging acceptance of childbirth spacing at the grassroots level. He noted that the support of local leaders and policymakers is crucial for creating a supportive environment that reduces the stigma surrounding contraceptive use.
Through such initiatives, TCI and SSPHCDA aim to empower communities in Sokoto State to embrace family planning practices that contribute to healthier families and improved maternal and child health outcomes.
By Musa Ubandawaki
