By Murtala Muhammad
Bauchi State Government has received Childbirth spacing commodities worth fifty million naira, procured through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The supplies were procured under the National Guidelines for State-Funded Procurement of Family Planning Commodities, adopted by Governor Bala Mohammed in 2023.
The guidelines provide a framework for each of the thirty six states across the country to mobilise resources to complement the federal government’s efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2023 report indicates that Bauchi State records a high fertility rate of 6.5% and unmet family planning needs of 22.2%, with a low modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) of 10.6%.
Speaking at the hand over of the procured commodities, UNFPA’s Assistant Country Representative, Mr Dashe Dasogot said the support was in line with Nigeria’s commitment to take greater responsibility for family planning programmes.
Mr Dasogot who commended Bauchi State Government for taking the lead by releasing funds for the procured commodities, assured the UNFPA’s sustained partnership in that direction.
He noted the state is having high demand for Childbirth spacing services, calling for more funds to be released for the procurement of additional commodities to end unmet needs for family planning.
The UNFPA assured to sustain its three transformative agenda which includes, ending unmet needs for family planning, zero preventable maternal death, zero gender based violence and harmful practices
While receiving the items, Executive Chairman of the State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed said the delivery was long overdue looking at clients’ high demand of the childbirth spacing services, noting it would help in preventing unintended pregnancies.
He commended the Governor Bala Mohammed for releasing the funds, expressing optimism for more releases in no distant time.
The Managing Director, Bauchi State Drug and Medical Consumables Management Agency, DMMA, Abdulkadir Ahmed, custodian of the consumables assured to store the items in a safe and conducive environment for subsequent distribution to various health facilities across the state.
The handover ceremony symbolises the state’s progress in improving reproductive health services, with UNFPA’s support playing a significant role in achieving these milestones.
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