Chima Azubuike
As the country’s population growth rate continues to rise astronomically, indications have emerged that a lot of men are beginning to get involved in child spacing services in Gombe State.
Arewa PUNCH reports that with Nigeria’s population already estimated to be over 250 million, and with Gombe alone contributing 3.7 million growth rate to the statistics, the urgent need for male involvement in child spacing becomes imperative.
This was the verdict of the state Coordinator of Family Planning in Gombe State, Grace Mabudi, who noted that male involvement has improved the successes recorded, adding that “due to the cultural values women need their husbands’ support to take up services and we see a lot of men accompany their wives.”
Mabudi made this disclosure at a panel discussion, the sequel to the training of about 20 journalists by Rotary International on its Reproductive, Maternal, and Child Health + Nutrition under Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria.
She added, “Women usually seek the consent of their husbands to even go to the facility and if men are not aware or know the benefit of child spacing there is no way the man will allow his wife to even go the facility to access the services.”
“Presently, sometimes, they (men) now accompany them (women) to facilities to obtain child spacing services.”
Mabudi, who also commended the efforts of traditional and religious leaders, added, “We have worked with them to educate them on the importance of child spacing. It has made the demand high and more acceptable in our communities.
“They are the gatekeepers, and they have been supportive alongside the efforts of the media. We have seen more women access our services, and we have seen more men accompany their wives to the facility. We have discovered the role of support.”
The lead facilitator, Director-General Gombe Media Cooperation, Mohammed Isah, urged journalists to tell compelling stories, stressing that they should emphasise factual accounts.
Isah said, “Media platforms can showcase success stories, best practices, and innovations in maternal and child healthcare. By featuring positive examples of healthcare interventions and community initiatives, the media inspires replication and adoption of effective strategies across the state.”
The National Coordinator and Country Director of the Rotary Reproductive Maternal and Child Programme in Nigeria, Professor Emmanuel Lufadeju, spoke on the need to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates resulting from pregnancy and childbirth complications.
Represented by Gombe focal person, Mohammed, Lufadeju added pointed out, “Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria programme aims to empower journalists to produce a minimum of 180 impactful articles and stories within the next two years. These will cover critical areas such as family planning, maternal health, reproductive health advocacy, and public awareness.”
Also, Gombe State Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, harped on Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health plus Nutrition.
He observed that journalists play a critical role in reducing infant and maternal mortality through advocacy and comprehensive reports.
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