In fulfilment of the vision to provide equitable and sustainable health service supply to Bauchi State, the State’s Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the United State Agency for International Development (USAID) and Health Policy Plus (HP ) Nigeria have launched a family planning programme to reduce the fertility rate of the state, CEOAfrica gathered.

Hajiah Asana Bello who made this known on Wednesday 13th September, 2017 during the launching of the Lead Project and child spacing campaign under the Resources for the Awareness of Population Impacts on Development (RAPID) held at the Banquet Hall, Bauchi Government house stated that the Lead Project is a requirement from the Federal Government to ensure the institution of family planning programmes in the state.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Senior Programme Specialist, RTI explained that Lead is an old project founded by USAID to ensure good governance and transparency of the government in Bauchi. She added “Lead, for the past seven years has achieved a lot of success by advocating for increase in funding and support for the health sector.”

Speaking about RAPID, the Country Director, HP Nigeria, Mr Onoriode Ezire stated that the project was launched by Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo on the 6th July 2017. He said Bauchi State development plan among others, aim to improve the life of the people in the State by increasing access to quality education, reducing unemployment and poverty.

He stated however that these developmental goals and objectives in the short, medium and long-term goal may not be achieved because of the ever increasing population of the state, which he described as a recipe for disaster. He noted that the fertility rate of the state is one of the highest in the country which is 8 children per 1 woman.

“Bauchi State population has increased seven-fold since 1960, from about a million people to close to 6.8 million in 2015. In 2017, the population of Bauchi is estimated to be close to 7.3 million. While the Bauchi state government recognizes the need to improve access to vital resource, such as education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, greater investment in family planning in the state is critical to help curb the potentially negative consequences of rapid population growth,” he said.

While emphasizing the need for adequate political support of Bauchi’s family planning programme, Mr Onoriode urged high-level government officials in Bauchi to demonstrate their support for efforts to reduce population growth. He said “Decision-makers in Bauchi should encourage both government and non-governmental organizations to collaborate on delivering family planning programmes as increasing access to family planning information, services and methods is essential.”

The Governor of Bauchi State, Muhammed Abdullahi Abubakar in his address expressed delight at the awareness of impact of population on development, noting that the programme will impact the understanding of population growth on health care delivery services which will encourage the formation of strategies to overcome the challenges.

The Governor said “We are also proud of our achievements in the health sector. Within two and half years, the administration has recorded tremendous achievements in the health sector. It has consistently allocated over 16 per cent of its total budget to the health sector in keeping with the 2001 Abuja Declaration.

“One of the five points agenda of the government to strengthen primary health care; including routine immunisation and reproduction, maternal, new-born and child health services. The state government has continued to provide free maternal and under five health care service in the State as well as full implementation of Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR).

“The Agency now controls all personal issues such as recruitments, promotion, discipline, training, retirement etc. And has a staff numerical strength of 8,353 from an initial number of 665. In order to strengthen Routine immunization, the State government has paid it';s counterpart funds in 2016, paid 100 per cent 2017 contribution to the routine immunisation basket funds following the MoU with Bill and Melinda Gate and Dangote foundations.”

Packaged by Grace Enne, Bauchi