By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
Dr. John Godwin, Senior Registrar in the Department of Community Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), has called on the government to make family planning services free.
Godwin made the call in Ilorin, while speaking at a Roundtable Workshop organized by The Challenge Initiative (TCI) and DevCom network for the state Media Advocacy Group on Family Planning (FP) in Ilorin.
He explained that making FP free will address the low contraceptive prevalence rate in the country.
The expert spoke on the topic: “Unlocking Sustainable Development through Family Planning: Exploring the Connections between Population, Prosperity, and the Planet.”
According to him, there is a direct relationship between uncontrolled population growth and poverty, as well as health challenges.
He noted that family planning is linked to population growth rate and can help regulate it if well planned.
“In a society where family planning is working, the population rate would be organized and slower.
“When it’s slower, the pressure on natural resources like agriculture, ecosystems, and the nation’s resources will be well regulated.
“There will be less insecurity caused by scrambling for natural resources. Family planning is that balance between population growth rate and the nation’s resources,” he said.
Godwin lamented that high population overwhelms resources in education and health sectors, while calling for population control through family planning.
He highlighted the benefits of family planning, including effective allocation of resources, enhancement of quality education, health, economic prosperity, and enabling women to maximize their potential.
In her submission, Dr. Bashirat Jatto, the Family Planning Coordinator in the Kwara Mnistry of Health, said the state government aims to improve the 17 percent contraceptive prevalence rate among women of reproductive age.
She lamented that misinformation and misconceptions about FP especially in rural areas, pose significant challenges.
