Jigawa Govt Expresses Concern Over Low Contraceptive Use, Calls for Media Support
From Mika’il Tsoho Dutse
The Jigawa State government has raised concerns about the low percentage of reproductive women utilizing family planning measures in the state.
Dr. Shehu Sambo, the Director of Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (JSPHDA), voiced these concerns during a three-day training organized by Devcoms and TCI for media practitioners, social media influencers, and officials from MDAs on media advocacy for family planning.
Dr. Sambo, while delivering a welcome address, appealed to the media to launch extensive awareness campaigns highlighting the importance of family spacing.
He emphasized that such awareness creation could potentially save thousands of children and women from maternal mortality and morbidity, particularly in rural areas.
“In Jigawa state, only 3.6 percent of over 1.5 million reproductive-age women adopt the use of contraceptives. Inadequate awareness to dispel misconceptions and emphasize the importance of family spacing from the media, as one of the key stakeholders, needs to be emphasized,” he stated.
The director commended Devcoms and TCI for partnering with Jigawa to promote family and reproductive health in the state.
Devcoms consultant Sekyen Dadik, leading the Devcoms team, paid an advocacy visit to the leadership of media houses in the state to build mutual rapport while carrying out activities.
“Media has a vital role to play in reducing maternal mortality rates through sensitization and public enlightenment campaigns on the importance of child spacing,” she asserted.
Responding to the call, Alhaji Aliyu Falaki, the General Manager of Freedom Radio Dutse, assured maximum support for the project in promoting better reproductive health.
The General Managers of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Radio Jigawa, and Jigawa Television also pledged their commitment to the success of the program.
Policy makers, including Dr. Kabir Ibrahim, the Permanent Secretary of Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, commended Devcoms for its efforts and urged media partners to maintain balance in reporting health-related issues in the state, avoiding bias.
