*Says family planning not only moral imperative, sound economic decision
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
While appreciating the Kaduna State Government for its commitment towards supporting family planning, a group, the Family Health Advocates in Nigeria Initiative (FHANI) has advocated for cash backing of allocated funds.
This was expressed by FHANI at a press briefing in Kaduna yesterday.
Speaking, Secretary of FHANI, Benjamin Yunana Maigari said that the Uba Sani-led Kaduna State Government has recognized the critical importance of family planning. “I wish to appreciate the Executive Governor of Kaduna State Senator Uba Sani and his government for recognizing the critical importance of family planning in promoting the well-being and empowerment of individuals and families. It is a fundamental right for every person to have access to comprehensive family planning services and information, enabling them to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
“In light of this, I am pleased to announce that the Kaduna State Government in it’s proposed budget has taken a decisive step towards strengthening its commitment to family planning, by its decision to significantly increase the budget allocation dedicated to family planning initiatives from 6,800,000 for 2023 programming to 70,000,000 in 2024 and has decided to make it an MOU with UNFPA through the State Primary Health Care Board to dedicate a counterpart funding with the economic number 23010222 and the amount of 608,396,619.51 in the proposed 2024 budget,” he said.
He explained this increased budget allocation will enable the state expand the reach and availability of family planning services .
“It will also support the provisions of such commodities and Consumables to PHCs and general hospitals that provide essential reproductive health services across the state.
“Furthermore, the increased funding will also contribute to the monitoring, training and capacity building of healthcare professionals, ensuring that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver high-quality family planning services,” FHANI said.
According to him, “We believe that investing in family planning is not only a moral imperative, but also a sound economic decision. By empowering individuals and families to plan and space their pregnancies, we can reduce maternal and infant mortality rates, improve child health, and promote economic stability and sustainable development.
“The government’s commitment to increasing the budget allocation for Family Planning shows the government is development focused and people oriented. Family Health Advocates in Nigeria Initiative FHANI wishes to appreciate the Kaduna State Government and to also call on the Kaduna State government to cash back the 250,000,000 earlier approved by the previous administration and also cash back
“it’s commitment in the 2024 budget. FHANI will keep supporting the state government for improve health care services and will not relent in it’s advocacy for the release and cash backing of funds allocated for Reproductive Health services in the state”.
FHANI further aappreciated the state government for maintaining and surpassing the Abuja declaration of 15% budgetary provisions to health. FP2030, which Nigeria is a signatory also mandated member states to allocate 1% of it’s health budget to Family Planning.
“We are calling on the Kaduna State House of Assembly as it’s approved the budget to look into the FP2030 commitment,” he appealed.
