Pathfinder International Nigeria, Wednesday, tasked media practitioners in Nigeria on the need for concerted advocacy to ensure sustainable financial and government support for family planning in the country.
Media and communication officer, Pathfinder International Nigeria, Mrs. Somto Atuanya, made the call in Lafia during a three day capacity building workshop on media content development in Lafia.
She said continued advocacy by media houses will ensure that no woman that needs family planning is deprived of it.
The media officer urged government at all levels to show serious commitment to family planning and release budgeted fund for family planning in order to improve on maternal health and reduce mortality rates in the country.
She expressed hope that after the meeting, there would be increase in the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) for family planning in the state.
The family planning coordinator, Nasarawa state primary health care, Mrs. Salome Vincent Aya, said the maternal mortality rate in the state showed that for every 100,000 that give birth 1,000 lose their lives during delivery.
She said state government has improvement in the services.
Solome said only 16 per cent of women have embraced family planning but in their findings, “over 80 per cent of women are aware about family planning in the state.”
She, however, advised women that family planning is very effective in improving child health and maternal health and it can reduce infant and mortality rate.
The state coordinator therefore, urged men to always support their wives in taking family planning commodity.
