Ilorin: The Kwara Government, in collaboration with the Society for Family Health (SFH), has reaffirmed its commitment to providing access to quality, affordable, and uninterrupted family planning services across the state. This was announced by Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, during the Kwara State 2026 Bi-annual Stakeholders’ Strategic Coordination Meeting on Family Planning Services and Coordination.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the meeting, themed ‘Strengthening Family Planning Integration, Government Ownership and Accountability within Sector Wide Approach (SWAp), Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) at State and LGA Levels’, aimed to renew the collective commitment to enabling individuals and couples to make informed and voluntary decisions regarding family planning.
Dr. El-Imam emphasized that family planning is fundamental not only to health but also to broader societal benefits, including women’s empowerment, poverty reduction, and sustai
nable development. She elaborated on the advantages of planned pregnancies, which include reduced risks of maternal and newborn complications, improved child health and nutrition, and enhanced educational and economic opportunities for women.
The commissioner highlighted the recent approval by Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for funds dedicated to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) basket fund, ensuring a steady supply of family planning commodities. However, she noted that effective family planning services require more than just commodities and stressed the necessity of informed communities, competent healthcare providers, reliable data, and youth-friendly services.
Addressing barriers such as misconceptions, privacy concerns, and socio-cultural influences, El-Imam called for coordinated efforts to improve service delivery, especially focusing on adolescents, women in remote areas, and vulnerable groups.
Mr. Michael Titus, SFH’s RMNCAH+N Communication Lead, underlined the importance of child spacing
and community interventions in reducing maternal mortality. He noted the collaboration with the Kwara Government to provide cost-effective family planning services and promote male engagement in family planning efforts.
Mrs. Bashirat Jatto, the State Family Planning Coordinator, stated that the meeting aimed to discuss results from the Transition Readiness Assessment and align interventions with governance and demand-generation strategies.
Dr. Abdullahi Taoheed, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, reiterated the significance of family planning in improving health outcomes and strengthening reproductive health services. He emphasized the meeting’s role in reviewing progress, identifying gaps, and agreeing on practical actions.
The event gathered participants from government, development partners, civil society organizations, healthcare providers, and community leaders to address family planning issues and explore interventions for improvement.