Commissioner Extols BA-N For Provision FP Services To Women

Health

Commissioner Extols BA-N For Provision FP Services To Women

The commissioner for health has eulogized the Break through Action Nigeria (BA-N) for the successful implementation of Family Planning (FP) programmes in the state.

Professor Augustine Umoh made the remark at the closing out ceremony of the BA-N in Uyo recently, noted that the organization had complemented the government in the provision of FP services to women in the state.

Umoh observed that population control was a challenge in the world and therefore entails the need for it to be in the front burner of developing nations. He commended the management of BA-N for including Akwa Ibom in its intervention programme and for ensuring that 3,961 women access F.P. out of 9, 920 that identified in the communities. Umoh who extolled the organization for the good work done in the state, said the goverment was prepared to partner international agencies in the effort to bring healthcare to the people. He appealed to the organization to close in once again with more services as the government was always prepared to partner international organizations for such. The special assistant to the governor on multi-lateral donor agency, Mr Nnana Udom, who lauded the agency for bringing its to Akwa Ibom and assured that the government will continue to create an enabling environment for donor agencies to operate.

The state coordinator, BA-N, Mr Bassey Nsa, stated that the organization as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID's) flagship on Social Mobilization and Communication (SBC) programme in Nigeria had successfully implemented FP project in the state. According to him, the organization which operates in 11 states of the federation including Akwa Ibom, focuses on malaria, family planning and tuberculosis. Nsa at the event with the theme: Sustaining Family Planning Gains in Akwa Ibom State, noted that the programme was executed in collaboration with State Ministry of Health, State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, donor agencies and volunteers.

Towards the successful implementation of the project, the coordinator hinted that 156 community volunteers were engaged in 58 wards of 12 local government areas. Nsa further informed that capacity building for service providers, an aggressive media advocacy was embarked upon to ensure effective service delivery. The assistant state coordinator, Family Planning , BA-N, Mrs Pascaline Edim, stressed that the outing aimed at communicating the change status to stakeholders and the presentation of family planning scorecard as a driver in the sustenance of family planning activities. Edim hinted that the volunteers who conducted community mobilization were passionate in prosecuting the assignment. Mrs Comfort Akpan , state officer and Marie Stopes congratulated BAN for the successful execution of FP project in Akwa Ibom which has seen many women taking family planning services. She maintained that as BA-N was out, the service providers should continue with the work to achieve the desired goal and objective in the family planning.

The state coordinator, Reproductive Health and Family Planning (RHFP), Mrs Grace Okon, stressed the need to leverage on the operational platforms provided by BA-N to sustain the programme. She observed that the FP services needed to be expanded to other local areas, the volunteers should be retained for engagement by other service providers. The BA-N recommended the provision of consumables for FP unit or the integration of services at the PHC and the continuous engagement of trained personnel. It also emphasized the need for routine visit , supervision of health facilities for optimum functionality. She explained that the family champion award was designed to recognize and encourage the stakeholders to continue doing their best in different capacities.

The ceremony featured the presentation of "Family Champion Award to 20 health personnel; including the permanent secretary, State Ministry of Health, Dr Patrick Essiet, the director, public health, Dr Godfrey Akro and the state health educator, Mrs Margret Etim, and a Post - Humous Award to the late Mrs Emem Ituh, who worked in the Reproductive Health and Family Planning Unit.