NURHI Commends HAMI Over Effective Family Planning Reportage, Urges Forum To Do More

In the picture are (L-R) Director, Technical Operations, NURHI II, Dr. Saratu Olabode, Secretary, HAMI, Shola Ojo, Chairman, HAMI, jacqueline Adebija and Senior Technical Advisor, NURHI II, Madam Charity Ibeawuchi supported by other NURHI II staff during their transition visit to Kaduna on Tuesday/:/

Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI II) on Tuesday commended a group of media practitioners under Health4All Media Initiative (HAMI) over effective Family Pe(FP) reportage in Kaduna State.

HAMI is a group of seasoned media practitioners from broadcast, print and new media, passionate about health issues including FP, HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health among others in line with sustainable development goals (SDGs).

HAMI recalled that, the NURHI II project wound up a few months ago and now operating on transition window. What that means is that, the project team can only support its stakeholders by way of encouragement but, no fund for any activities any further, yet, looking at sustainability as key reason for the visit.

Speaking specifically on family planning, the Senior Technical Advisor, NURHI II, Mrs Charity Ibeawuchi, who opened the discussion with the representatives of HAMI hinted that, the use of family planning was not compulsory, but remained the right of every person that want the service and government must make it available.

The team called on the media forum to keep alive the passion to set agenda around health issues in Kaduna, especially, that of family planning.

The team further reminded the members of the health media forum to always remember the larger society as they go about their news gathering, processing and presentation. 

She was very careful while making comment on the use of modern family planning methods by young persons and adolescents. She said, anyone below the age of 18 that wishes to access the service, should be given life skill which will help such see the future. But where such fails, then, the minor should come with his or her parents.

Mrs Charity also reminded the forum the need to intensify campaign for more men to buy-in the family planning idea by way of following or taking their women to approved government clinics and primary health care centers for counseling and use of the suitable method which may be natural, traditional or modern.

“We are happy that you guys are still together up till now. That is what we want. We want sustainability of the campaign in the interest of our people.

“NURHI II project has not ‘ended’ but there is no fund for any programme in Kaduna anymore. We are on transition now. We are here in Kaduna to meet with our critical stakeholders which media is one. 

“We want to see how we can ensure sustainability of the existing platform to see how issues around the FP can be on for a long time even when development partners withdraw their services in the state,” she said.

Responding, Chairman, HAMI, Jacqueline Adebija, restated the commitment of members of the forum to continuously create discussions and set agenda around health issues in Kaduna state with a view to have improved health service demands and supplies across board.

She then thanked the team for the visit just as she promised renewal efforts to use available media platforms to reach out to target audience.

Secretary, HAMI, Sola Ojo Sent In This Report