LAGOS ANNOUNCES GUIDELINES FOR THE ACCESS TO FAMILY PLANNING COMPONENTS

The Lagos State Government has formally introduced and distributed extensive guidelines pertaining to State-funded family planning supply acquisition. This document emphasises and emphasises the critical roles that stakeholders played in acquiring these essential resources.

Stakeholder responsibilities are emphasised throughout the procurement process in this document, which was created in accordance with the National Guidelines for State-funded procurement of family planning commodities. At a special workshop for stakeholders held recently at the Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja, the launch took place in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

In line with the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, Dr. Ogunyemi reaffirmed that family planning is still an essential tactic for accomplishing a country’s health and development objectives. Among the many development policy options, universal access to family planning has one of the highest cost-benefit ratios.

She also emphasised Lagos State’s coordinated efforts in reaching the target contraceptive prevalence of 34%, crediting their accomplishment to cooperative tactics created with stakeholders for the efficient implementation of family planning services.

Dr. Ogunyemi emphasised the socioeconomic advantages of family planning access for all, citing advancements in women’s and children’s education, higher earnings for women, and a decrease in poverty.

Among the many policy options for development, achieving universal access to family planning has one of the highest cost-benefit ratios. Women’s and children’s education improves, women’s earnings rise, and poverty continues to decline as a result of the social and economic advantages for women, their families, and their communities as a whole, she said.

The Special Advisor guaranteed funding for commodities procurement and last-mile delivery by 2024, reaffirming the government’s commitment. While acknowledging the important role the private sector plays in providing services, she called for deliberate partnerships to guarantee long-term access. Furthermore, she mentioned that the Lagos State health scheme, in collaboration with the Lagos State Health Management Agency, offers comprehensive family planning services, with the exception of permanent methods.

We acknowledge that over 60% of services are provided by the sizable private sector, so we must carefully consider how we can collaborate with them to guarantee their access to this market. A full range of family planning services, with the exception of the permanent methods covered by the Lagos State Health Scheme, have been included, she added, in collaboration with the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA).

The objective of the guidelines, which is to standardise, record, and institutionalise the procurement process, was reiterated by Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health. He pointed out that the goal of this strategy is to lower maternal mortality resulting from unintended pregnancies, which is consistent with the administration’s emphasis on the THEMES Plus agenda’s Health and Environment mandate.

In addition to highlighting initiatives to improve family planning supplies’ accessibility for everyone, Dr. Ogboye reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to social inclusion.

In order to assist the Lagos State Ministry of Health in mobilising resources for the complete implementation of guidelines, Dr. Victoria Omoera, the Reproductive Health Coordinator, has called on relevant agencies, developmental partners, civil societies, the private sector, and stakeholders to work together.

The UNFPA’s commitment to enhancing maternal and reproductive health around the world was reaffirmed by Dr. Esther Somefun, Officer in Charge of the Lagos Liaison Office. The spokesperson expressed the organization’s continued dedication to creating health plans, guaranteeing desired pregnancies, safe childbirth, and realising the potential of every adolescent on the planet.