Women commend free family planning services in Jigawa hospitals
By: Ahmed Aminu, Dutse
Some women in Jigawa State have commended the state government and some Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working on child spacing for providing free contraceptives and family planning services in public health facilities in the state.
The women made the commendation while speaking to The Syndicate in Kudai and Kiyawa in Dutse and Kiyawa local government areas of the state, respectively.
They made their views known during a sensitization exercise as part of activities to mark the 2024 World Contraceptive Day, organised by the state Ministry of Health in conjunction with the state Primary Health Care Development Agency, and SFH-A360.
Mrs Ramlatu Rabilu, a house wife and mother of five in Kudai village, said she gave birth to three children before she got to know and understood the importance of child spacing during a visit to the village health centre.
She said a female health worker briefed them on child spacing when she took her child for routine immunization, and has since then, “became interested with the idea and convinced with the reason to practice child spacing, especially for a woman on my age and considering the economy of our husband”.
“I understand that practicing child spacing does not mean to cut the number of children one shall give birth to, but it is kind of medical advice which proved to be good for social, economic and healthy growth of the child and family in general. It took me some time to convince my husband.”
On her part, Malama Sahura Sahabi, a house wife in Kudai village said, current social and economic challenges has made practicing child spacing very imperative, as it will help to enhance the wellbeing of the family. She advised women to embrace it.
Another housewife, Karimatu Maishanu of Kiyawa town, said family planing is one of the strategic measures to reduce the high rate of child and maternal deaths, tackle malnutrition and stunting in children. rate, and enhance reproductive health .
“I practice child spacing, and to me it is not an issue of economy but the health and survival of the child and mother in good condition. I testify to it’s importance to family life, so I am advising families to adopt it,” Karimatu added.
The women called on the state government and partners to strengthen the supply of the contraceptive drugs and services to make it more accessible to women across the state.
The theme of the 2024 World Contraceptive Day was “A choice for all. Freedom to plan, power to choose”.
Speaking during the sensitisation, Auwalu Musa Garba, the officer in-charge of Kiyawa Primary Health Centre, said over 1,000 women have accessed family planning services at the facility.
He commended the state Ministry of Health, Primary Health Care Development Agency and partners for their commitment to reproductive health services in the state.
