By Mohammed Dala Lawan
The Yobe State Family Planning Media Team has expressed plans to engage more clerics, traditional rulers, and community leaders to boost awareness before the end of the programme.
Chairman of the Yobe Family Planning Media Team, Mustapha Yusuf Musa, stated this during a media roundtable meeting in Damaturu, the state capital.
He pointed out that the team has carried out widespread child spacing and behavioural change campaigns, especially in rural communities, since April 2024.
Mr. Musa explained that these efforts have helped debunk myths and misinformation, leading to increased acceptance of family planning.
The chairman further commended The Challenge Initiative (TCI) and DevComs for supporting the programme aimed at enhancing reproductive health.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health with the Yobe State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Hajiya Fatima Jiddum, announced that about 360 health centres across the state currently provide free family planning services to the general public.
Hajiya Jiddum advised couples to access services only from accredited professionals to avoid complications related to unqualified providers.
In his remarks, the State Manager of Challenge Initiative (TCI) and Communication Development (DevComs), Dr. Philimon Mamza, praised the team’s collaboration with the demand generation component to further sensitise communities on the benefits of child spacing practices.
Dr. Mamza further encouraged members of the media team to explore alternative ways of sustaining the programme in the state.
In their separate remarks, Islamic cleric Sheikh Suleiman Abubakar and Christian cleric Sumaila Baba explained that practising child birth spacing with the aim of safeguarding the health of the mothers and children is permissible in both religions.
Leave a Reply