By Sani Idris-Abdulrahman

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Monday in Kaduna, handed over the Gate's foundation-funded family planning commodities to the Kaduna State Government.

Dr. Audu Alayande, Assistant Representative and Reproductive Health Specialist, UNFPA, said while handing over the commodities at the Kaduna State Health Supply Management Agency (KADHSMA) that the items would bridge the demand gap for planning products in the state.

Alayande said that UNFPA was aware of the severe stock out of family planning commodities in the state which could affect Nigeria’s drive to achieve the 27 per cent modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) by 2030.

He added that the funding gap that would be able to meet up the family planning stock out in Kaduna, Kano and Lagos is 27.7 million dollars.

"We are actually in very serious situation. we all appreciate what child facing can do to a woman, household and to the community much more now that the country is in a hard situation", he said.

Alayande also said that UNFPA has reached out for more support from other donors in support of the service'.

He said they have received four out of the 13 commodities, while expecting the remaining.

“This is the right thing to do, so the government can begin to use its different channels to distribute the commodities to every facility,” he said.

He commended the Gates Foundation for providing 30 million dollars support to provide commodities to Kano, Kaduna and Lagos states.

Also, Dr Anthony Shamang, the Gates Foundation State Consultant, said they have partnered with the Kaduna state government for over 10 years to implement programs benefiting the people of the state .

He explained that the partnership has been instrumental in providing family planning commodities to Kaduna, Kano and Lagos states, which are the foundation's deep engagement states.

"We have been working to increase the CPR in these states and supporting other grantees to provide service delivery and demand creation,"he said.

Shamang expressed gratitude to UNFPA for facilitating the procurement of the family planning commodities, adding that it was not an easy feat, considering they had to transport them from overseas.

He however, said in spite the efforts, there are still challenges, particularly in delivering the commodities to the service delivery points.

Shamang therefore said the partnership aimed to ensure that the commodities reach the last mile, while restating the Gates foundation's commitment to supporting the procurement of the commodities with a significant investment.

He acknowledged that while the investment is helpful, it may not be enough to address the huge stock out, hoping that the state government would take necessary actions.

The Executive Secretary (ES), Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Bello Jamoh, said with the commodities, the state would reach 24 per cent and above of CPR.

Jamoh, represented by the board's Director, Family and Community Health, Habiba Aliyu, thanked the UNFPA and the Gates foundation for the support.

Also, Aisha Ishaq, ES of the Kaduna State Health Supply Management Agency, restated the agency's commitment to manage and coordinate the commodities, ensuring their availability and accessibility across Kaduna State.

The state's Commissioner of Health, Hajiya Umma Ahmed, expressed gratitude to the Gates foundation and UNFPA for their support in making family planning commodities available in the state

Ahmed said the support was crucial in addressing the gap in availability of the commodities which has been a significant challenge.

The Commissioner acknowledged that while the support may not be enough, it is a significant step forward.

She noted that availability of the commodities is expected to increase access to family planning services, which would in turn, address some of the challenges faced by the state.

"Once the people become aware of availability of these commodities, they will start accessing them. Family planning is recognised as essential for improving health indices, girls' education, and economic growth",she said.

She assured the partners that the commodities would be used judiciously and effectively, and that the state will continue to make them proud by utilising the investment wisely.

"We have before now sensitised the public on the need for family planning and they showed interest. with availability of the commodities, they will start coming for it", she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the family planning commodities included; implanon, IUDs, excluton, depo-provera, among others.(NAN)