The Challenge Initiative states that Adamawa has recorded a 40 per cent increase in new users of family planning services since the commencement of its intervention.

Godiya Yusuf, TCI programme manager in Adamawa, disclosed this at a media roundtable discussion on family planning held on Saturday in Yola.

The event, organised by TCI in collaboration with the Development Communications Network, brought together stakeholders from the health sector, media, traditional and religious institutions.

Mr Yusuf said the partnership between TCI and the Adamawa government had yielded remarkable results since its inception.

“Before the intervention, in 2022, the state recorded 47,980 family planning acceptors and 19,024 users of modern contraceptives. As of the second quarter of 2024, specifically in June, there were 104,486 new acceptors, representing 40 per cent of the initiative’s reach.

“While users of modern contraceptives rose to 79,764, accounting for 78 per cent of the intervention,” he said.

Mr Yusuf attributed the success to key drivers, including capacity building for service providers, monitoring and evaluation, supportive supervision, and regular facility visits.

In his remarks, the health commissioner, Felix Tangwami, restated the importance of family planning to both individual families and society at large.

Mr Tangwami, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Zirra Bubanani, said that proper family planning supports healthier families and contributes to national development. He said child spacing is essential for maternal health as it allows women time to recover before conceiving again, thereby reducing maternal and child mortality.

“There have been cases where women give birth to ten or more children in rapid succession, which often results in health complications or death. We are encouraging women of reproductive age to embrace family planning for healthy lives,” he said

Speaking on the impact of the initiative, Aisha Abubakar, the focal person for family planning, highlighted the importance of child spacing in reducing maternal and child mortality.

Ms Abubakar urged the media to intensify efforts in addressing the myths and misconceptions surrounding family planning, often driven by religious and cultural beliefs.

“Some of the misconceptions are the belief that family planning restricts the number of children they can have or stops them from having children. We intensified sensitisation efforts to clarify that family planning is about spacing births, not limiting them. It allows women’s bodies to rest before another pregnancy.

“Our key goal is to reduce maternal and child mortality, improve sexual and reproductive health services, and prevent unintended pregnancies. Pregnancy should be by choice, not by chance,” she added.

Ms Abubakar revealed that there are currently about 1.2 million women of reproductive age in Adamawa, with 149,000 new family planning acceptors and 149,155 users of modern contraceptives.

She said the procurement and distribution of family planning commodities and consumables had improved access to services across the state.

Ms Abubakar noted that the project has achieved success through advocacy and awareness creation, with strong support from federal and state governments, as well as development partners.

(NAN)