Stakeholders have urged the inclusion of a dedicated budget line for family planning in the 2025 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) budget to improve family planning services and reduce cases of unplanned pregnancies among young girls and women of reproductive age.
Programme manager of the Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HEFRON), Dr. Opeyemi Adeosun highlighted this during a media briefing in Abuja. He emphasised that a specific budget allocation for family planning is essential to addressing Nigeria’s high fertility and mortality rates.
According to Adeosun, the media plays a crucial role in raising awareness about the absence of such a budget line. He stressed that allocating funds for family planning in the FCT would help tackle the country’s low contraceptive usage and improve access to services for women in the area.
HEFRON also called on FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to prioritise family planning services, especially at primary healthcare centers. The organisation noted that integrating family planning into these facilities would ensure an adequate supply of consumables and enhance access to this critical health service.
HEFRON’s communication consultant, Bukola Afeni underscored the need for the media to advocate for family planning as a priority health issue. She noted that access to free family planning services in the FCT is vital and urged the government at all levels to prioritise this essential healthcare intervention.
The stakeholders believe that a dedicated budget line would significantly contribute to improving reproductive health services and outcomes in the FCT.
