Bauchi reiterates commitment to ensuring every woman access quality sexual, reproductive health services

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Bauchi State SSG, Ibrahim Kashim, right, with the Emir of Dass, Usman Bilyaminu Othman II at the meeting

By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi

The Bauchi State Government has reiterated its commitment ensuring that every woman in the state no matter she is, has access to high quality sexual and reproductive health services.

The assertion was made by the State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed who said that this can be done by providing the best needed policy and strategic plan.

The Governor was speaking at the dissemination meeting of Women’s Integrated Services for Health (WISH) Project held at Government House, Bauchi on Tuesday.

He said that implementation of the project underscores the commitment of his administration to excellence in reproductive healthcare intervention.

The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Ibrahim Mohammed Kashim, observed that, through implementing rigorous quality assurance measures, the state can ensure that all family planning services provided meet the highest standard of safety, effectiveness, and patient-centered care.

According to him, “over the years, the state government with support from development partners, has been working to ensuring that family planning information, services and commodities are being provided free at all public sector health facilities.”

A development, the Governor said has increased the uptake of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LAC) services to 83,126 in 2023 from 56,304 in 2021.

He added that to avert periodic stock-out of family planning commodities, the State Government has continued to provide FP commodities to over 600 health facilities across the State with support from partners.

He appreciated MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices for the implementation of WISH project.

Mohammed said that, “I am very pleased to address you today on the significant milestone we have achieved as a Government, in our collective effort towards reenforcing the quality of services in the health sector.”

According to him, “It is important to note that our policy direction in the state is geared towards addressing the prevailing challenges as regards to policy implementation.”

Mohammed also said that as part of his administration’s commitment in the health sector, it has enacted various policies to create enabling environment for the participation of implementing partners to support activities of government in the state.

The Governor at the meeting told the gathering that his administration has increased FP budgetary allocation from 75 Million naira in 2023 to 120 Million naira in the year 2024 to support extensive training, awareness creation and supportive supervision.

On his part, the Country Director of MSI Nigeria, Emmanuel Aja explained that one of the aims of the WISH project is to enhance 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.