The International Non-Governmental Organisation for Safe Abortion and Contraception, IPAS, has unveiled a new six- to seven-year programme aimed at reducing unsafe abortion and improving access to reproductive health services in Anambra State.
The Co-Director of IPAS, Mr. Samsu Gombwer, disclosed this during a visit to the Anambra State Ministry of Health in Awka, where he briefed the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, on the programme.
Gombwer said the programme was designed to strengthen existing efforts by the state government and improve access to appropriate reproductive health services.
He noted that the long-term nature of the programme placed a major responsibility on the state and its partners to ensure that its objectives were achieved, stressing the need for effective collaboration among government officials, relevant agencies and other stakeholders.
According to him, the programme’s focus on improving access to contraceptive services was particularly important, as increased access to family planning and related services could contribute to reducing maternal deaths.
Gombwer said IPAS had worked with the state Ministry of Health over the past two years on policy dissemination and the training of healthcare workers in areas including post-abortion care and contraceptive services.
He explained that the new programme would focus on three major areas: policy, community engagement and health-system strengthening.
He disclosed that IPAS planned to support about 20 additional health facilities across Anambra, building on the 19 facilities where the organisation had previously implemented its interventions.
Gombwer added that the programme would commence with stakeholder engagement and an assessment of the state’s health system, followed by baseline assessments and the training of state trainers.
He said the trained personnel would subsequently provide continuous on-the-job training for healthcare workers, ensuring that knowledge and skills acquired under the programme were sustained.
The IPAS Co-Director thanked the Commissioner for receiving the delegation and expressed the organisation’s readiness to sustain its partnership with the Anambra State Government.
Responding, Dr. Obidike said Anambra State was pleased to have been selected as one of the five priority states among the eight states chosen for the programme, assuring that the state would make good use of the opportunity.
The Commissioner expressed optimism that the partnership with IPAS would strengthen ongoing efforts to improve maternal health and enhance the quality of care available to women requiring reproductive health services.
He said the programme aligned with the state’s efforts to reduce unsafe abortion while improving access to post-abortion care and contraceptive services across Anambra.
