By Daniel Tyokua
Health experts have called for more sensitization of families, traditional and religious leaders on the significance of family planning.
The experts, during a 3-day virtual media campaign launch/training of journalists talk show on ‘Reproductive Maternal and Child Health’ said there was the need for sustained campaign against high fertility rate.
Prof. Oladapo Shittu, Federal University of Health Science, Otukpo in Benue state, said family planning if encouraged will help curb infant and maternal mortality.
He explained that in the area of economic development, family planning would encourage adequate provision of infrastructure and other schemes for the populace.
Shittu in his own presentation titled, ‘Demographic Dividend: Population Health and Economic Development, emphasised the need for families to be guided by professional health personnel on family planning.
However, Prof. Hadiza Galadanci of Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital (AKUTH), advocated for more training of health personnel.
She also called for more employment of health care personnel across the country, especially in primary health centres.
Hadiza said: “There is need for more employment of health care providers with better remuneration and better working environment”
She said FP issue must be taken more serious by the strategic stakeholders.
National Coordinator of the programme organised by Rotary Action Group for Reproductive Maternal and Child Health, Prof. Emmanuel Lufadeju, during the online training encouraged journalists to focus more on educating the people on accepting family planning.
He identified journalists as the best vehicle that will convey the desired message on FP to the target audience.
Lufadeju urged journalists to always pass the message to communities through a means that will be acceptable to the readers, listeners and viewers.
