A non-governmental organisation, Pathfinder International, on Monday disclosed that, Benue State government needed over N1.55 billion for full implementation of state family planning implementation policy for the year 2018-2020.
The programme officer, Nuhu Yusuf of Pathfinder International, disclosed this while launching family planning in the state in Makurdi, the state capital.
Benue State Ministry of Health in collaboration with Pathfinder International launched family planning costed Implementation and task-shifting and task-sharing so as to educate the people of the state on family planning.
Nuhu explained that, the aim of Pathfinder International was to promote healthy pregnancies and as well save expectant mother’s lives, and prevent spread of new HIV infections.
He stated that, the rationale of task-shifting and task-sharing was the shortage of skilled health cadre among others, and its goal was to meet universal health, he said.
Discussing the challenges, the programme officer mentioned lack of resources, facilities and government intervention, among others.
He said the state government could involve its partners, Federal Government, organisations and donors in fund raising since capital was the major concern.
Giving recommendations to the state government, he recommended develop work plans, separate budget line for family planning, needs for resources and identifying funding gaps as the strategies for successful family planning costed implementation with task-sharing and task-shifting policy for essential health care services.
Earlier, the state commissioner for health, Cecilia Ojabo, represented by Sunday Ochengele, appreciated Pathfinder International for their support to the state, especially the present government since the beginning of the administration.
He revealed that the state government had signed a memorandum of understanding with Pathfinder international and a costed implementation plan was developed in Otukpo in 2018, with the support of Pathfinder. “This was aimed at reducing the number of women dying daily from preventable pregnancy and related conditions,” he emphasised.
The commissioner explained that the state government has raised her CPR from 17% to 36% hoping that it will address the negative perception.
“I deeply appreciate our development partners for funding this event on CIP launch to show case our collective efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality in the state, task-shifting and task-sharing policy in the state was developed with support from Pathfinder in 2018. The TSP is to tackle the persistent Health workers shortage not only in the Benue State but at the national,” he said.
Development partners and MDAs such as, UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, UNHCR were in attendance.
