In most of the underdeveloped regions, the fundamental right of women to make informed choices about their reproductive health is frequently undermined, perpetuating cycles of Poverty and inequality. Despite the risk that complications during pregnancy and childbirth pose to women in Africa, many are still deprived of the right to decide when and how many children to have. As we are all aware, investing in reproductive healthcare is not just a matter of individual choice but a societal imperative.
When women are empowered to make decisions about their reproductive health, it unlocks a ripple effect of benefits that extend far beyond themselves. It positively impacts their partners, children, and the wider community, contributing to overall social and economic development. Complications during pregnancy and childbirth remain a leading cause of death for women in Nigeria, highlighting the urgent need for improved access to Family Planning services and reproductive healthcare. In low and middle-income countries, the availability and access to family planning services are alarmingly inadequate, leaving millions of women with an unmet need for modern contraception.
Universal reproductive planning can reduce unintended pregnancies.
An estimated 218 million women of reproductive age are unable to access the contraceptives they desire to prevent unintended pregnancies. In Nigeria, the situation is particularly severe, with about 24% of women facing challenges in obtaining the contraception they wish to use. The consequences of this lack of access to reproductive planning services are profound. Annually, approximately 3 million out of 10 million pregnancies in Nigeria are unintended, leading some women to resort to unsafe abortions due to the unavailability of safe and legal options, putting their lives at risk and leading to severe health complications.
Moreover, the inadequate coverage of antenatal, delivery, and newborn care services in Nigeria further increases the risk of preventable complications and deaths for women and newborns, where only about half of women who give birth each year receive the necessary care to ensure safe and healthy outcomes. The universal provision of reproductive planning services has the potential to bring reductions in unintended pregnancies, maternal deaths, and newborn deaths. Studies suggest that with universal access to family planning, both unintended pregnancies and abortions could decrease by 80%, while maternal deaths could decline by 61%. This underscores the critical importance of prioritising and investing in comprehensive conception Regulation services to protect the health and well-being of women and their children in Nigeria and beyond.
FG urged to implement initiatives to enhance family planning access.
Speaking with AskNigeria reporter, a community health practitioner, RCHP Ayeni Victoria, explained that “family planning is how a couple spaces their childbirth to their desired time, which is not by chance but by choice. Like you giving birth because you’re ready to give birth and not you giving birth because you are pregnant.” There are different methods of family planning, which include contraceptives, lactation, withdrawal, hormonal methods, implant methods and so on. She added that some of the methods are not cost-effective and may have their own side effects.
Despite the importance of family planning and reproductive health, there are still challenges to accessing and utilising these services in Nigeria. Therefore, the federal government and other stakeholders are encouraged to implement various initiatives to address these challenges and improve access to conception regulation and reproductive health services. For example, the government has established the National Family Planning Blueprint, which aims to increase contraceptive prevalence to 27% by 2025. Organisations such as the Society for Family Health and the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria provide reproductive planning services and information to communities nationwide.
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Lastly, the government must address cultural and societal barriers preventing individuals from accessing family planning services. By promoting Education and awareness about the benefits of family planning and combating stigma and misconceptions, Nigeria can work towards achieving its reproductive health goals. However, with a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including healthcare providers, policymakers, and community leaders nationwide, Nigeria can create a more sustainable and equitable healthcare system that meets the needs of its growing population.