Family Planning: 7 milllion under 5 death, 450,000 maternal death likely by 2020 – Prof Ojengbede

By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan.
The Director Centre for Reproductive Health Program,University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Professor Oladosu Ojengbede on Wednesday hinted that no fewer than 7milllion under 5 death may be recorded by the year 2020 if family planning is not properly implemented.
Professor Ojengbede dropped this hint at Safe Motherhood Day 2016 Media Forum organised by the Development Communications Network (DevComs) and Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) held at Ibadan Business School, Bodija Ibadan.
According to the Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology while delivering a paper titled “Promoting Sustainable Development Through Effective Family Planning Programming”, 450,000 maternal death may also be avoided through the practice of family planning in 22 countries  during the same period.
Professor Ojengbede disclosed that there are lots of benefits attached to family planning practice if adequately implemented, saying that family planning can consistently prevent transmission of HIV virus as well as unintended pregnancy.
“Family planning contributes to improved nutrition outcomes- family planning also helps women time and space their pregnancies to ensure healthy nutritional outcomes. Family planning helps women to plan and maintain a good health, family planning advances gender equality and empowerment. Family planning can support the achievements of SDGs, it can accelerate the progress of the goals”.
According to him, family planning is not a way to discourage child bearing but an efforts at giving birth to number of children one can cater for, saying, “family planning contributes to improved nutrition outcomes, family planning also helps women time and space their pregnancies to ensure healthy nutritional outcomes”.
“Family planning helps women to plan and maintain a good health, family planning advances gender equality and empowerment. Family planning can support the achievements of SDGs, it can accelerate the progress of the goals”.
He pointed out that family “planning is not only affecting individuals but communities and country at large charging journalists to continue in preaching the gospel of family planning”.
Speaking further, he disclosed that no fewer than 50 per cent of pregnant women across the country are currently suffering from anaemia due to shortage and lack of good food suitable for their health during pregnancy.
Professor Ojengbede said the shortage of food with nutrients and vitamins was as a result of high level of poverty and economic hardship now biting harder in the country which resulted to the alarming rate of maternal mortality and mobility compared to other countries of the world.
“if you look at most pregnant women, about 50 per cent of them are suffering from anaemia. It is due to lack of required food and supplements during pregnancy. It is worrisome that Nigeria and India contributes 50 percent of maternal mortality in the world. Everywhere is full of beggars, one of the effects of chosen right is this”.
Oyo State Team Leader for Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI), Mrs. Stella Akinso stressed that for Nigeria to get it right, health of women and children must be prioritised, saying, one of the challenges facing the family planning is to get the initiative to the women that need it.
Mrs Akinro however urged government at all levels in the country to employ skilled and qualified personnels in the provision of basic health care need to the people especially in the area of family planning free of charge.