From Owen Akenzua, Asaba
In a bid to reduce maternal and infant death rate among its citizens, Delta State government has pledged to partner United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, by improving access to reproductive health services.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme made this known yesterday during a courtesy visit by officials of UNFPA led by the Head of Office/Programme Coordinator, Cross River Sub-office, Dr Andrew Kirima and Programme Specialist, Reproductive Health, UNFPA, Dr Yakubu Aliyu.
The commissioner said Delta would benefit from the partnership as it would tap from the technical capacity of UNFPA in the areas of promotion of family planning and access to contraception for the overall wellbeing of families.
Onojaeme said the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is always ready to support initiatives that would ensure a healthier population and since this is one of the areas of support, it would continue to partner and increase its collaboration with UNFPA.
Earlier, Dr Kirima commended the state government for its efforts that have led to more residents getting access to health services and its commitment in expanding access to sexual reproductive health services, mainly family planning through the release of N40million for the procurement of family planning commodities.
“We have received the money and the requested family planning commodities have been procured; some have already been shipped to Nigeria, while others are currently being shipped. Those commodities that have arrived the country have been cleared in Lagos, while only male condoms are awaiting clearance from customs.
“Although this is commendable, we advocate for more allocation because the N40 million which was committed for the purchase of the commodities has not fully satisfied the demands that are on ground. So we believe that through your office, we can have more funding for the procurement of these commodities,” he said.
He urged the state to make efforts to ensure that it sustains the grounds covered because of the observed dwindling dollar funding, especially in areas that relate to the provision of family planning in Nigeria, mainly after the COVID-19 pandemic.
