By Kemi Olatunde

In a move aimed at improving family planning services in Ondo State, 24,000 units of Intrauterine Devices (IUDs), valued at N12 million, have been donated to the state.

This development was revealed during a cascade training session on long-acting reversible contraceptives held in Akure.

Dr. Francis Akanbiemu, Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for his unwavering support to the health sector.

He also highlighted the state’s ongoing efforts to recruit additional doctors and nurses, stressing that the renovation of 203 Primary Health Care (PHC) centres across the state would also attract more clients.

 Akanbiemu acknowledged the contributions of DKT International Nigeria, the donor and organiser of the training, describing family planning as a critical strategy for ensuring the survival of both mothers and children.

He urged the participants to embrace the principles of quality service delivery in order to sustain the progress made.

Clinical Service Manager at DKT International Nigeria, Mrs. Sarah Odeniran extended her thanks to the Ondo State government for its support and hoped that the partnership would lead to positive outcomes.

She revealed that the donation of 24,000 IUDs and the training of 40 nurses were intended to address the low uptake of long-acting reversible contraceptives in the state. She expressed optimism that over 1,000 women would benefit from these services.

Speaking with Weekend Hope, Ondo State Family Planning Coordinator, Mrs. Opeyemi Agunbiade, highlighted family planning as a major strategy for improving the health and well-being of women of reproductive age.

She noted that the training organised in collaboration with DKT International Nigeria, aims to improve access to family planning services and increase the state’s contraceptive prevalence rate.

She outlined the various family planning methods available, which include male and female condoms, combined oral pills (Microgynon), progestin-only pills (Exluton), DMPA-IM, DMPA-SC, Noristerat, Implanon, Jadelle, Copper-IUD, and Hormonal-IUD.

Participants expressed their enthusiasm to improve family planning services in the state, stating that the training had equipped them with the necessary knowledge to deliver high-quality services at their respective health facilities.