The Osun State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the progress achieved in family planning uptake, following the conclusion of support from the Non-Governmental Organisation, The Challenge Initiative (TCI).
The pledge was made by the State Commissioner for Health, Mr Jola Akintola, during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Tuesday in Osogbo. The event, themed “Sustaining Family Planning Intervention: Transitioning Osun Government to Self-Reliance,” marked the formal handover of the programme to the state government after three years of external assistance.
Akintola emphasised the state’s dedication to prioritising reproductive health, assuring residents of continued access to family planning services without interruption.
“We understand the critical role of family planning in achieving sustainable development and improving the health outcomes of our people. While we reflect on what has been accomplished, I call on all stakeholders to remain steadfast in ensuring every citizen has access to quality reproductive services,” the commissioner stated.
According to the State Family Planning Coordinator, Mrs Ololade Abatan, 76,008 men and women accessed family planning services during TCI’s three-year intervention. She described this as a marked improvement in uptake, adding that the government is well-positioned to build on these achievements.
Country Director of TCI Nigeria, Dr Taiwo Johnson, explained that Osun State has now reached the sustainability phase of the programme, where full local ownership is expected.
“Following an average of three and a half years of TCI support, the state must now take charge of funding and managing its family planning services to guarantee long-term success,” he said.
Dr Olukunle Omotoso, TCI’s Senior Technical Advisor, echoed the call for increased investment. He recommended that the state allocate more funds for the procurement of family planning commodities and expand its workforce to meet rising demand.
“Family planning uptake in Osun is on the rise. It is imperative that the government acts promptly to consolidate the progress already achieved and prevent any disruption in service delivery,” Omotoso stated.
The meeting brought together government officials, health professionals, and civil society representatives to discuss strategies for sustaining family planning services across the state.
