Abuja: EngenderHealth, a leading global health organization, has partnered with various stakeholders to expand access to the Hormonal Intrauterine Device (HIUD) in Kebbi and Plateau states. Dr. Kabiru Atta, EngenderHealth’s Country Representative, shared the success of the HIUD scale-up project during a national dissemination meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the project, supported by the CHAI Catalytic Opportunity Fund (CHAI-COF) with funding from UKID, achieved more than 10,000 Couple Year Protection (CYP) within its 11-month duration. Dr. Atta highlighted that, with support from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Rotary International, and others, over 2,000 HIUDs had been distributed to healthcare facilities in both states.
Dr. Atta elaborated on the project’s comprehensive approach, mentioning the training of 46 master trainers, which led to the subsequent training of 224 health workers across secondary healthcare facilities and high-volume primary healthcare centers in Kebbi and Plateau States. He emphasized that the Federal Ministry of Health played a crucial role in ensuring a steady supply of hormonal IUDs, which was further supported by Rotary International.
The project not only provided resources but also focused on sustainability. EngenderHealth assisted state governments in budget appropriation for family planning commodities, with Plateau State allocating N23 million and Kebbi State allocating N300 million for procurement. Kebbi is also awaiting approval for an additional N190 million.
Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, Plateau State Commissioner of Health, acknowledged the project’s impact on strengthening health workers’ capacity to deliver reproductive health services across all local government areas. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining the project and maximizing its long-term impact.
Similarly, Alhaji Yunusa Musa-Ismail, Kebbi State Commissioner of Health, noted the project’s success in addressing unplanned pregnancies, reducing maternal mortality, and improving women’s health outcomes in the state. He emphasized the newfound confidence among couples in embracing family planning.
Dr. Mohammed Abdulkadir from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency reiterated their commitment to ensuring family planning commodities remained accessible at health facilities. Meanwhile, Mr. Emmanuel Ajah, Country Director of MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices, stressed the importance of enabling women to access family planning options and make informed reproductive health choices.
The dissemination meeting was organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Ministries of Health in Kebbi and Plateau States and EngenderHealth.