RAYMOND OZOJI reports
The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ben Afam Obidike, has advised citizens to take charge of their reproductive health and general wellbeing especially as it concerns the use of condoms and other forms of contraceptives to avoid unnecessary and unwanted pregnancies, abortions and other complications that may arise from unprotected sexual activities.
Obidike equally stressed the need for improved access to contraceptive services, accurate information and quality counselling as Anambra State joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2026 World Contraception Day, with the theme, “No Barriers, Just Choices: Contraceptive Access Now.”
Obidike who spoke through the Permanent secretary of the State Ministry of Health, Dr Obiageli Uchebo at a press conference yesterday, said access to contraception goes beyond the availability of commodities, stressing the need for accurate information, quality counselling and access to a range of safe and effective family planning methods.
Obidike noted that the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey showed that 15 per cent of currently married women aged 15 to 49 years in Anambra had an unmet need for family planning.
He noted that although the figure places the state among those with the lowest unmet need in the country, the government remains committed to addressing the remaining gaps.
He explained that 146,183 clients were counselled on family planning in the state in 2025, with 44,615 new acceptors recorded. Between January and June 2026, she said, 73,687 clients received counselling, while 18,389 new acceptors were recorded.
According to him, health facilities during the period provided 13,726 injectable contraceptives, 5,402 implants and 537 intrauterine device insertions, while 11,186 clients accessed condom services. He added that postpartum family planning was also receiving attention, with 17,814 women counselled between January and June, including 978 postpartum Implanon NXT and 489 Jadelle insertions.
He also disclosed that contraception could help prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce pregnancy related health risks and maternal deaths, and reduce the need for unsafe abortion. He added that family planning could also support women's education, economic participation and overall family wellbeing.
The Commissioner therefore stressed that contraceptive services should be based on informed choice, urging healthcare providers to offer respectful, confidential and non judgemental counselling. He identified misinformation, fear of side effects, limited availability of preferred methods, geographical barriers, stigma and provider bias as some of the challenges affecting access.
The Health Commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the Anambra State Government, under the leadership of Governor Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, to strengthen reproductive health services; urging healthcare workers, development partners, community leaders and the media to support accurate information and help dispel myths surrounding contraception, while encouraging residents to seek information from trained healthcare providers and make informed choices.
Meanwhile the Assistant Family Planning Coordinator of the ministry, Chioma Okedo, identified myths, misconceptions, cultural and religious beliefs as major barriers to family planning. She said some people wrongly believe that contraceptive use causes infertility or death, while some men hold cultural beliefs that women who use family planning could become unfaithful or difficult to control.
She also noted that some Christians mistakenly regard family planning as abortion and identified provider bias as another challenge that could discourage clients from seeking services.
The press briefing was followed by a road show through some streets in the capital city to create wider awareness about family planning and contraceptive services.
Health officials and partners used the exercise to engage residents, promote accurate information and encourage people to access appropriate family planning services from trained healthcare providers.
##
0 Comments