By Akpan David, Calabar
Women, Health workers and other stakeholders from across the 18 local government areas of Cross River State have been taught self-care and how to apply injectable contraceptives by themselves.
The event held in Calabar yesterday was an orientation and advocacy on self-care guidelines to individuals, especially women and health professionals.
It was organised by the reproductive health Division of Federal Ministry of Health Abuja to hold simultaneously in Cross River, Niger and Nasarawa States. It had earlier held in 12 other states before now.
Explaining, deputy director in he reproductive health division in the ministry, Mrs Remi Bajomo said World Health Organization (WHO) initiated it and was domesticated and became imperative for Nigerians to be orientated.
“There is shortage of health professionals in Nigeria. It became imperative for individuals to be taught Self-Care to enable them handle basic health needs, using certain simple kits etc. Self-Care and usage of self-injectable contraceptives is all about doing those medical practices that are not complicated, like taking one’s temperature, etc that can be done at home.
“Self-Care is also about sexual and reproductive health. Guidelines on injectable contraceptives, for instance, enable women in particular to have basic health knowledge.”
Bajomo also maintained that it is the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease and cope with illness and disability with or without support of healthcare provider.
Participants were taught what roles and actions required by health workers, local government, state and stakeholders on implementation of the self-care guidelines.
Commissioner for health in the state, Dr Betta Edu commended he federal government for adapting the WHO guidelines on Self-Care, urging stakeholders and beneficiaries not to abuse it.
