By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Government in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has constituted and inaugurated a Technical Working Group for Specific Financing Tracker for Family Planning Activities.
The inauguration of the Committee was done by the State Commissioner of Health, Dr Sani Mohammed Dambam during a one-day UNFPA dissemination meeting of the State Specific Finance Tracker held at the Conference Hall of the State Primary Healthcare Board on Wednesday.
In his opening remarks, the Commissioner explained that the purpose of the meeting was essentially to see some of the works done in Jos sometimes ago in respect to the development of the Family Planning Finance Tracker.
He said that during the meeting, stakeholders came together to develop how they can be tracking Family Planning expenditures, monitor and analyze how each activity or partners spending are being channelled.
According to the Commissioner who was represented by the Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, the Bauchi State Government has expressed a full commitment by setting aside N70 million as state contributions for family planning commodities.
He stressed that even though, there are some delays in releases but he acknowledged the effort of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for his numerous support in the health sector.
He further revealed that, as a Family Planning Champion, currently, there are several organizations that provide family planning support hence the need to develop finance tracking tools and reports.
He noted that this move ensures efficient resource utilisation and effective monitoring so as to meet family planning goals.
In her remarks, the Bauchi State Programme Officer of UNFPA, Deborah Tabara said that, “Today, Wednesday 11th December, 2024, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the Bauchi State Ministry of Health and Primary Healthcare Development Board disseminates the Bauchi State Specific Financing Tracker for Family Planning. State-Based Family Planning Financing Tracker.”
According to her, “This event is a crucial step in enhancing the State’s Family Planning initiatives by ensuring efficient tracking and utilization of financial resources.”
Deborah Tabara added that, “UNFPA appreciates the Executive Chairman, Primary Healthcare Development Board for his responsiveness and unflinching commitment in advocating for child spacing and for championing resource mobilization for FP commodity to bridge the funding gap.”
“This is in-line with the launch of the National Guidelines for State –Funded Procurement of Family Planning Commodities in Bauchi state. This event represents a critical step taken by State Government to ensuring sustainable delivery and uptake of quality and affordable family planning services,” She added.
According to her, “The Nigerian Government was applauded for committing 4million USD to the National Basket Fund for procurement of FP commodities in alignment with the initiative to assume greater responsibility for the procurement of family planning commodities and the National Family Planning Programme.”
She explained that, “UNFPA is the United Nations reproductive health agency. Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA work is guided by three transformative agenda which includes, ending unmet needs for family planning, zero preventable maternal death, zero gender based violence and harmful practices.”
The Programme Officer added that, “For decades, UNFPA has committed to supporting the Government of Nigeria through strategic technical guidiance as well as funding for the procurement of Family planning commodities alongside last mile distribution to service deliver points across several states on behalf of the Nigerian government.”
In a presentation on an overview of Family Planning Landscape in Nigeria, the Bauchi State Programme officer stated that UNFPA has supported the procurement and distribution of commodities worth N1.22 Billion to Bauchi state in the last 2 years.
She added that and since the establishment of the National Basket Fund in 2011, UNFPA has contributed at least, 70% of the funds for procurement and 90% in 2023.
UNFPA reiterated its commitment to the partnership with Bauchi State Government to ensure a positive outcome in its development.
In his own remarks, the Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed stated that the State Governor approved the release of N50Million for the state procurement of Family Planning Commodity and committed to follow up with the Ministry of Finance to ensure its timely release and transfer to the National Basket fund.
Checks revealed that Family Planning has been shown to contribute to the reduction of maternal and infant mortality, as well as accelerate economic growth and development.
Federal Government has been making counterpart contribution since 2011 and has also made a commitment to increase domestic funding over the coming years.
To sustain the gains and complement the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria in meeting the commitments to increase domestic funding for Family planning commodities and programming, UNFPA supported the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health to develop a strategic document to provide guidelines for the various states in the country to actively participate in the funding for the procurement of Family Planning (FP) commodities.
As a standardized framework for harnessing and utilizing financial resources from the States and Federal Capital Territory as well as other entities to complement current investments in family planning commodities.
According to the 2023 NDHS report for Bauchi state, Bauchi State has a high TFR (7.2%) and unmet need for FP (20,0%), a low mCPR of 5%.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), as the Reproductive Health agency of the United Nations, provides strategic vision, technical guidance and support as well as funds for procurement of Family Planning commodities on behalf of the Nigerian government.
UNFPA has supported the procurement and distribution of commodities worth N1.97 Billion to Bauchi state in the last 12 years.
