Guttmacher Institute Moves to Boost Family Planning Investment in Kogi

Pledges Full Support as Stakeholders Seek Sustainable Funding, Stronger Services

By Rotimi Odofin

The Kogi State Ministry of Health has commenced discussions with the Guttmacher Institute on strategies to strengthen family planning services and establish a sustainable framework for increased investment in the programme across the state.

The development followed a stakeholders’ meeting between officials of the Ministry of Health, the Guttmacher Institute and relevant support partners in Lokoja, where participants examined opportunities for strengthening family planning interventions and improving access to quality reproductive health services.

Speaking during the working visit and stakeholders’ engagement, representative of the Guttmacher Institute, Dr. Kolapo Oyeniyi, said the organisation was prepared to support the state with substantial investment in family planning once the necessary data had been collated to properly identify needs and guide intervention.

Oyeniyi explained that the costing exercise was particularly important in providing the evidence required to establish a solid foundation for sustained and comprehensive investment in family planning programmes in Kogi State.

He said the Institute was interested in working closely with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to generate reliable data that would enable targeted interventions and ensure that resources were deployed to areas of greatest need.

Responding, the Coordinating Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Maji Enoch, assured the Guttmacher Institute of the state government’s readiness to support the proposed collaboration.

Enoch said the Ministry would provide the necessary cooperation, information and institutional support required to facilitate the costing exercise and subsequent interventions.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo administration to embracing credible partnerships and investments capable of strengthening the health system and improving healthcare delivery to the people.

According to him, the state government remains open to interventions that will enhance access to essential health services, strengthen existing programmes and ultimately improve the health and wellbeing of residents.

The stakeholders at the meeting also pledged their readiness to provide the necessary data, technical support and other relevant information required by the Guttmacher Institute to develop a robust investment framework for family planning in the state.

The meeting marked another step towards strengthening collaboration between Kogi State and development partners, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the proposed investment would contribute significantly to improved family planning services and broader health-system development in the state.