Nasarawa state government in scaling up High Impact Interventions (HIIs) in Reproductive Health with special focus on Childbirth Spacing (FP).
EBOH Baba Joseph – Lafia
Devcoms Network has among other things –media development, capacity building of media professionals through experienced development journalism has been doing business in the Nigerian mass media and the civil society sector since 1995. The Challenge Initiative (TCI) on the other hand, is implemented globally by the Gates institute at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and in Nigeria by the Johns Hopkins University Centre for Communications Programmes (JHUCCP).
Principally anchored on its mission to strengthen public and independent media sector to reach its full potential for availability, accessibility and meaningful utilization of science, public health and social development information for sustainable health sector development, a-3 day training for Media Professionals, Social Media Influencers and MDAs Media Officers on Media Advocacy for Childbirth Spacing was put together through Tue.17th to Thu.19th November, 2020.
Speaking during the opening session, Dr. Usman Mohammed Adis the Executive Secretary of Nasarawa Primary Healthcare Development Agency –NAPHDA who was represented by Mohammed Abdullahi Ibrahim, Director Social Mobilization, NAPHDA, said the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency is committed to implementing the policy objective of His Excellency the Governor of Nasarawa state Engr. AbdullahiSule through the provision of potable and affordable health care services in all the health institutions in the state. He said this is evident as seen in the distribution of modern hospital equipment to primary healthcare facilities in the state. Dr. Adis encouraged the participants to make maximum utilization of the window of opportunity by expanding their scope of knowledge and applying same for the benefit of the society, hence, the cardinal goal of the training; to dish out appropriate information to the public on family planning so that they can in turn make informed decision that would better the wellbeing of individual family and the society as a whole.
Taking participants through the objective of the training, the State Media Focal Person EDOH Baba Joseph, listed the objectives to include: 1. To understand the terminologies associated with maternal health, adolescent reproductive health and family planning and how to apply them appropriately. 2. To be able to explain terms used in maternal health and family planning. 3. To be familiar with statistical information relating to adolescent, maternal and child health. 4. To be able to explain statistical figures relating to family planning and adolescent reproductive health, and 5. The participants to use their various medium to drive the campaign on Childbirth Spacing and by extension give it prominence and make it visible to the target group.
Dr. Deborah Ismaila, the State Programme Officer of The Challenge Initiative (TCI) who presented a paper on “Understanding Terminologies in Maternal Health, Family Planning and Adolescent Reproductive Health,” listed some of the terms to include:- Oestrogen, Progesterone, Spermicides, Family Planning, Vasectomy, etc. Other topics discussed were:- “Family Planning as a tool for Sustainable Development; Cultural and Religious Context of Family Planning; Understanding the Challenge Initiative, Business Unusual Model (BUM) to Family Planning; and Addressing Myths and Misconceptions about Family Planning methods.” She also identified five methods of family planning as –Natural methods: [Ovulation, Cervical Mucus or Billings Method, Lactational Amenorrhea, etc.]; Barrier methods: [Male/Female condoms, Vaginal Sponges, Spermicides, etc.]; Hormonal methods: [Injectables, Implants, Oral pills, etc.]; Voluntary Surgical methods: [Vasectomy, Bilateral Tubal Occlusion]
Dr. Ismaila who was particularly interested in the benefits of childbirth spacing, gave the overall benefits to include but not limited to:- Enhances the nutrition needs of the family; Promote and sustain the education of the children, and promote economic growth of the family. Facilitators were drawn from Nasarawa Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NAPHDA). The Challenge Initiative (TCI) and Development Communications Network (Devcoms). A table containing pool of story ideas on FP where participants can pick, write and publish and as well share same on the WhatsApp forum for members was prepared by Mr. Marcus Fatunmole, a facilitator from Devcoms.
The high point of the training was a trip to Comprehensive Primary Health Care Centre Kwandere, Model Primary Health Care Doma Road, and Primary Health Care Lafia East, to understudy Family Planning Services, as well as a symbolic presentation of certificate to some participants. A total of 25 persons participated in the training. A WhatApp group name –“Media Action 4FP Nasarawa” is already in use and 3 officials have been put in place for the group. The officials are: KaluIdika –Chairman. Abari Isa –Secretary. Beauty John –PRO
It would be recalled that prior to the training, a survey was carried out on 25 Journalists from 29th September to 9th Oct, 2020 to assess their knowledge on Family Planning under WhatApp group name –PESPHJ (Promoting Excellence in Science and Public Health Journalism).
