Family planning key to poverty reduction – Commissioner

The Commissioner for Health in Ondo State, Dr Banji Ajaka, says family planning is key to poverty reduction and enhancing maternal and child health.

Ajaka said this during the celebration of the 2022 World Population Day on Thursday in Akure, with the theme: “A World of 8 Billion: Towards a Resilient Future-Harnessing Opportunities and Ensuring Rights and Choices for All”.

He said that the state government had put in place mechanisms through various relevant agencies and government departments to promote awareness among the public about the problems associated with large families and the need to embrace family planning.

Ajaka described family planning as a tool for safe motherhood and reducing child and maternal mortality.

According to him, the ministry engages indigenes through Third Party Logistics (3PL) Company to ensure distribution of family planning commodities to all service delivery points in the state on regular basis.

The commissioner added that the government through one of its partners, JHPIEGO,  had trained 40 health workers in secondary health facilities on hormonal Intra Uterine devices (IUDs).

Ajaka noted that the state governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, had subscribed to the aims of the National Population Policy by taking the bold steps in improving healthcare delivery through availability of manpower and drugs in health facilities across the state.

He promised that the government would not relent in ensuring policies and programmes that would ensure good health of people of the state.

Also speaking, Foluke Aladenola, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said that the day was meant to bring all stakeholders together on issues related to population and importance of resolving them.

Aladenola explained that population is a valuable asset, which if allowed to grow uncontrollably would drag down a country’s potential for socio-economic development and ensure propensity of citizens to wallow in poverty.

She lauded the state governor for being responsive to population activities and programmes as well as pursuing policies that would promote the health and wellbeing of the people of the state.

The permanent secretary also appreciated the commissioner for the express approval given to observe the day.

In his lecture, Mr Lateef Olowolagba, an official of the National Population Commission (NPC) in Akure Office, encouraged the Federal Government to invest in its people and manage its population carefully by giving out intervention programmes.

Olowolagba noted that such investment would ensure peace and prosperity in the society.

He said that opportunities abound in the country, noting that if harnessed, the country would  overcome its “coloured  problems”.

According to him, Nigerians should come together with a unity of purpose in salvaging the country from population crises. (NAN)