A non-governmental organisation, The DKT International Nigeria, said it offered free family planning services to 500 women in Sokoto State.

Speaking during the outreach, the Marketing Director, Dr Titilayo Ajayi, said the initiative was intended to mobilise families to embrace and access child spacing services.

Ms Ajayi said that the programme was part of events to honour the organisation’s founder, Phil Harver.

She said that similar health services would be extended to men and women in other locations in the Sokoto metropolis.

The marketing director further stated that the programme was aimed at enhancing maternal and reproductive health services across the state.

She stated that DKT International Nigeria had also trained community mobilisers to refer women to designated service providers in the state.

According to her, the outreach programme has enlightened the community people on the need for planned parenthood, hygiene and other health needs.

Also speaking, Dr Tukur Magaji, the Director, Community Health Services, Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Tukur Magaji, commended the organisation for choosing Sokoto for the outreach programme.

Mr Magaji reiterated the importance of child spacing towards enhancing maternal and child health, reducing financial constraints and promoting physical and psychological well-being of parents.

“Nigeria is confronted with social, economic and development challenges, so there is the need for quality family health services,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the benefiting communities, the District Head of Gagi, Sani Umar-Jabbi, commended the organisation for the exercise.

Represented by Malami Marafa, Mr Umar-Jabbi urged the community to embrace child spacing, considering the health benefits advocated by experts.

The district head urged the people to disregard any non-expert information earlier given to them about family planning.

He said that the community was open to support from the government and donor agencies capable of helping the people to lead a better quality of life.

(NAN)