Muhammad Garba
Adequate Child childbirth spacing has been identified as an important component in reducing the risk of mother’s complications and improving the reproductive health outcome in society.
A University Don and lecturer with Federal University Dutse, Dr. Itar Abdul-Razaq Rilwan, stated this while presenting a paper titled “Family Planning/Child Birth Spacing a Critical Components in Population Management, Improving Maternal and Newborn Child Health, Growth and Sustainable Development.”
The paper was presented during a Media roundtable meeting with state actors and other stakeholders, organized to develop more strategies for promoting family planning through advocacy and public enlightenment.
The meeting was held at the Manpower Development Institute, Dutse capital, Jigawa state, and was supported by The Challenge Initiative (TCI) and Development Communications Network (DevCom).
Dr Itar pointed out that, timing pregnancy to create intervals between the birth of children improves the overall health and survival of the children and mothers which will result in reducing the high rate of maternal and infant death.
According to him children born after adequate spacing tend to have more access to maternal care which could also reduce the cases of malnutrition and stunting rate that are among the instances Jigawa state has been battling to control.
“Families using childbirth spacing tend to have more resources and time to cater for education, health, proper training and Inculcating moral discipline to their children for a better upbringing.”
However, family planning helps state or society to have a better chance for population management resource allocation, achieving zero hunger, poverty eradication and enhancing public service delivery for sustainable growth and development.”
Dr. Itar then identified the need for advocating for the government to make family planning services accessible and affordable to all families and embarks on public enlightenment on the health and social benefits of childbirth spacing for reducing the high rate of maternal and child death in society.
Commenting at the occasion, TCI representative Mss Blessings Muhammed, said the organization has been providing support in Jigawa state through four Symantec areas, Advocacy, Demands Generation, Services Delivery, and Research/Monitoring/Evaluation for government to achieve sustainable improvement in Maternal and Newborn Child Health (MNCH) outcome.
“Our goal in TCI is to sustain improvements in urban health systems and increase the use of modern contraception innovative approach to ensures leadership and government-driven programming to enhance the scale, impact, efficiency, and sustainability of FP programs”.
Speaking on behalf of the media working group in Jigawa state, Comrade Muhammad Zangina promised to join hands with the government, partners, and other critical stakeholders to support reproductive health to enhance child survival and family wellbeing.
