Osun State Records Significant Strides In Family Planning Programme with TCI/DEVCOMS

News Update

Mrs. Ololade Abatan, the State Family Planning Coordinator, noted that Osun has made significant strides in its family planning programme with the support of The Challenge Initiative (TCI).

Speaking at the TCI/DevCOM Media Round Table in Osogbo on Thursday, April 3, 2025, Mrs Abatan identified ongoing challenges such as inadequate commodities and consumables, leading to high stock-out rates and unmet needs (22.9%), a shortage of health professionals, insufficient demand generation activities, and persistent myths, rumors, and misconceptions about family planning.

Also speaking, the Adolescent and Youth Reproductive Health (AYRH) Desk Officer at the Osun State Primary Health Care Board (OSPHCB), Mrs. Roseline Akinlabi, has highlighted the urgent need to address the challenges of adolescent pregnancy in Nigeria.

However, Akinlabi referenced UNICEF statistics, which indicate that approximately 19% of adolescent girls aged 15-19 have begun childbearing in Nigeria, positioning the country among the highest in teenage pregnancy rates globally.

Akinlabi emphasized the need to address the root causes of adolescent pregnancy, citing socioeconomic factors, child marriage, early menarche, limited access to information, cultural norms, social pressures, sexual abuse, and a lack of access to contraception as major contributors.

She highlighted the significant risks posed to young mothers and their babies and advocated for a comprehensive approach that includes addressing these factors, providing access to healthcare, educational support, mental health services, comprehensive sex education, contraception access, and abstinence education.

During the media round table review; Adeniji Taiwo, State Health Promotion Officer, emphasized the need for sustained efforts as TCI concludes its family planning program, which has been running for the past three years in Osun State.

Taiwo called for continued advocacy and education to dispel myths about family planning, alongside policy support, adequate funding, infrastructure development, and inclusive family planning programs that engage men and address the reproductive health needs of youth and marginalized groups.

She also stressed the importance of ongoing monitoring and evaluation to identify gaps and challenges in service delivery.

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