Delta state Coordinator, Reproductive Health and Family Planning (FP), Dr. Christian Tesola on Monday said the about 53,583 women have accepted family Planning in 2019 in the state.

FP Coordinator said government has released N20 million to boost the purchase of consumables and commodities for family planning programmes in the state.

Dr Tesola stated this in Asaba, on the recent developments in the family planning programmes.

He said that the release was the budget line for FP in 2020, adding that it was the first time the state Government had approved and release fund for the programmes.

According to him, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa early this year has magnanimously approved and released the N20 million budgeted specially for Family planning in the state.

He noted that the various partners and advocacy groups of the programmes advocated for a dedicated budget line for FP and had pushed and succeeded in securing a budgetary provision for FP in 2018 and in 2019.

“But the budgets were not released for 2018 and 2019 but in 2020, the sum of N20 million was budgeted and it has been released to boost family planning activities in the state.

“In 2019, we have 53, 583 women new acceptors of FP in the state.

“With the budget release, issues of consumables among other services remain free for up takers as each facility in the state will be adequately provided for,” Tesola said.

He assured that the funds would be utilised in purchasing FP consumables to make up takers have free access to the programmes.

He commended state government for deeming it right to release the funds, while thanking  partners and the media for their continued advocacy to ensure that people access the services to plan their families.

The Director of Public Health, Dr Philomena Okeowo, said that sustaining the programme depended on counterpart funding.

Dr Okeowo  noted that the importance of family planning could not be overemphasized, adding that the Gov. Okowa led administration has zero tolerance for maternal and under five mortality which could be reduced through adequate family planning application.

She said that the present economic situation underscores the need for families to adopt family planning programme in the country to ensure good and healthy living.

“So, for what His Excellency has done, we are grateful and one of requirement for family planning in the state is that we must have counterpart funding,” she said.

Source: Blueprint.ng