Osun records significant improvement in family planning uptake

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The Osun State Government has reported a significant rise in the uptake of family planning services, attributing the progress to its partnership with The Challenge Initiative (TCI) over the past three years.

This was disclosed during a stakeholders’ meeting titled “Sustaining Family Intervention: Transitioning of Osun Government to Self-Reliance,” held Tuesday in Osogbo. The event was organised by the state government in collaboration with TCI, a non-governmental organisation.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Mr. Jola Akintola, said the collaboration had led to a marked increase in access to family planning services across the state.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reproductive health, stating, “We recognise the importance of family planning in achieving sustainable development and improving the health and well-being of our citizens.”

Akintola added that the government would continue to support efforts that ensure quality family planning services are accessible to all residents of the state.

The State Family Planning Coordinator, Mrs. Ololade Abatan, revealed that over 76,008 men and women have accessed family planning services since TCI began its intervention, describing the figure as a significant improvement over previous records.

Dr. Taiwo Johnson, TCI Country Director, noted that with the intervention period nearing completion, Osun State would begin funding and managing its family planning programmes independently to sustain the achievements.

Also speaking, Dr. Olukunle Omotoso, Senior Technical Advisor for TCI Nigeria, urged the state to increase funding and recruit new service providers to replace retiring staff. He noted that Osun currently records the highest number of women completing family planning referrals among all states where TCI operates.