By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Government has allocated approximately N70 million for the procurement of family planning commodities to improve maternal and child health and expand access to reproductive healthcare services across the state.
The Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, disclosed this during a media briefing to mark the 2026 World Contraception Day, observed on September 26, under the theme: “No Barriers, Just Choices: Contraceptive Access.”
Rilwanu Mohammed also said that the investment, covering injectables and Implanon implants, reflects the government’s commitment to preventing unintended pregnancies, promoting healthy birth spacing and reducing maternal deaths associated with pregnancy complications.
He cited the 2023–2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, which puts Bauchi State’s total fertility rate at 6.2 children per woman, modern contraceptive prevalence rate at 10.6 per cent and unmet need for family planning at 22.2 per cent.
The Executive Chairman further said the figures underscore the urgent need to ensure that women and couples who wish to delay, space or limit pregnancies have access to suitable family planning methods.
He further disclosed that the state had expanded family planning service delivery points from 610 to 713 facilities, bringing reproductive healthcare services closer to communities, particularly underserved populations.
Rilwanu Mohammed acknowledged challenges including commodity stock-outs, distribution gaps and the need to strengthen healthcare workers’ capacity.
He however said that the State had adopted the National Guidelines for State-Funded Procurement of Family Planning Commodities to improve government ownership, domestic financing and sustainable supply.
He called on men, traditional and religious leaders, community stakeholders and the media to address misconceptions and support informed reproductive health decisions.
He reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to working with relevant ministries, local governments and development partners to reduce unmet needs, improve contraceptive access and save the lives of mothers and children.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Primary Healthcare Board, Irimiya Liman, stressed the importance of family planning in order to have a healthy family and by extention, the society.
He appealed to the traditional institution and religious leaders to engage in awareness creation in order of promote acceptance of the various family methods.
Earlier, Family Planning Focal Person of the Board, Maryam Dahiru, explained that the townhall meeting was organised in order to further sensitise stakeholders on the need to correct the misconceptions associated with issues of family planning services.
She emphasised the importance of family planning in having healthy family and better society as well as eliminate unplanned pregnancies especially among married and unmarried women.
