The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CON has said that family planning is not just a health intervention; but also a key driver of sustainable development, which should be elevated as a national priority.

Kalu who stated this on Thursday in Abuja while delivering his address at the 8th Nigeria family planning conference, opined that empowering individuals and families with the autonomy to make informed reproductive health choices saves lives, reduces maternal and infant mortality, and fosters socio-economic progress.

According to him, this year’s conference, themed “Sustaining Commitments for Family Planning within the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative: Advancing Progress Toward Achieving FP2030 Goals,” serves as a call to action for collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

Lamenting that despite progress, challenges remain, the Deputy Speaker commended the federal government’s commitment to allocate 1%of the health budget to family planning, saying that it should inspire state-level counterparts to follow suit.

Citing a report that every $1 invested in contraceptive services saves $3 in maternal and newborn healthcare costs, Kalu agrees that the savings can be redirected to education, infrastructure, and healthcare to unlock Nigeria’s demographic dividend.

He expressed optimism that by working together, they will ensure that family planning remains a cornerstone of sustainable development in Nigeria.

The Deputy Speaker said, “the backdrop of our discussions is inspiring and urgent. As the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare leads the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP) agenda, we are reminded of the transformative potential of unified strategies in addressing health challenges. Moreover, the FP2030 global board meeting taking place in Nigeria underscores our central role in shaping the future of family planning on the global stage. Addressing these gaps requires us to work together and adopt the principles of the Three Ps of Public Policy.

“We must develop data-driven and evidence-based strategies informed by tools such as the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. This data empowers us to design interventions that are responsive to the unique needs of our diverse population. Prioritization: Family planning must be elevated as a national priority. The government’s commitment to allocate 1%of the health budget to family planning is commendable and should inspire state-level counterparts to follow suit.

“Policies must translate into measurable outcomes. The accountability scorecards developed by the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP) exemplify the importance of tracking investments and ensuring that resources reach those who need them most. This conference provides a platform for me to implore you to strengthen partnerships with intervention initiatives like PISE-P and other stakeholders who play critical roles in bridging gaps in access and service delivery. Together, we can scale initiatives such as integrating family planning into the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, expanding the Mamii program, and engaging religious and community leaders to foster trust and advocacy.”

Udora Orizu, SA Press Affairs to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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