Stakeholders in family planning advocacy have expressed dismay over the “complete stock out”of consumables as well as 63% of commodities in Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria.
Consequently, there are strong indications that the State which had been rated high among States in the country, now nosedive in reproductive health.
Kaduna was the first State in the country, given the nod by the Federal government to procure FP commodities having sought the approval for which the State allocated N250 million in the 2021 budget without the Release and Cash backing
The situation came to the fore on Thursday in Kaduna at a “High- Level FP Stakeholders Roundtable Discussion”, to build understanding of Nigeria FP 2030 commitment and Obtain commitments from various stakeholders as well as update stakeholders with situation analysis in Kaduna State.
The stakeholders who attributed the phenomenon to challenges of Release and Cash backing resolved to push for the needful through advocacy visit to the Governor, while a similar visit be made to the Secretary to the State Government on the need to sustain FP budget line in the State.
One of Nigeria’s commitments to FP 2030 is to ensure release and effective use of the FP component of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund for FP intervention.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Chairman, Family Health Advocates in Nigeria Initiative, FHANI which hosted the meeting, Alhaji Bala Muhammad Tijjani, Bunnun Zazzau however lauded government support and the positive interaction so far between FHANI and MDAs.
He said the Roundtable discussion would afford the participants the opportunity to carry out the overview of activities so far and make corrections.
On his part, Program Officer Reproductive Health, Pathfinder International which sponsored the meeting, Mallam Yusuf Nuhu praised FHANI, and reiterated the commitment of the funder to supporting advocacy on reproductive health at both local and international levels to achieve the set goals.
Goodwill messages were received from relevant MDAs, Partners and CSOs, including State Primary Health Care Dev. Agency, UNFPA, State Health Supply Management Agency, Planning and Budget Commission, Ministry of Finance, KADCHMA and PERL
