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In order to improve state ownership and sustainability of family planning services that were previously funded by The Challenge Initiative, the Yobe State Government has started a transition plan.
Stakeholders in the health sector emphasised the partnership’s major financial commitments and enhanced healthcare worker capacity during a transition and dissemination meeting on Wednesday.
Speaking on the subject, Dr. Babagana Kundi Machina, Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Primary Health Care Board, stated that “the partnership has led to increased budgetary allocation for family planning.”
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He said, “Yobe State has allocated N100 million for family planning and has released over N73 million for implementation,” while at the same time acknowledging that TCI’s grant management advice was responsible for this accomplishment.
“Before TCI’s support, access to services was a problem, and health workers’ knowledge was inadequate, but with TCI’s support, health workers have become knowledgeable and skilful, making significant changes in the state,” said Alhaji Ibrahim Maikasuwa, Director of Community and Family Health Services, drawing a comparison between the difficult past and the present.
Dr. Philimon Yohanna Mamza, the Yobe State TCI Program Manager, praised the partnership’s accomplishments and gave his word that “TCI would remain a supportive partner to ensure a smooth handover.”
Hajiya Mairo Yakubu Hassan, the state’s Sexual Reproductive Health Coordinator, emphasised in her contribution the creative strategies that contributed to the achievements, such as the Whole Site Orientation, which instructs all medical facility employees.
She was therefore hopeful that the contemporary Contraceptive Prevalence Rate will rise to more than 15% in the upcoming year or two with sustained assistance.
Shortly following the conference, Dr. Lukuman Olatoshe, a communication officer with The Challenge Initiative and Senior spokesperson who also serves as the
According to the Technical Advisor on Advocacy, “the transitional arrangement comes after three years of program support to the state, including capacity building and training.”
The state has been able to maintain the program and become self-sufficient thanks to this assistance.
He stressed, “We’re not pulling out completely.” Olatoshe emphasised, “We’ll stay in the state and continue to provide support, while providing light technical assistance to the state.”
As he observed, “the state now has a better understanding of supporting family planning interventions and reproductive health,” he also praised “the technical support provided over the years.”
He underlined “the need for the state government to prioritise family planning commodities, releasing budgeted funds and procuring essential supplies” in order to maintain the programme.
In order to foster knowledge transfer and capacity building inside the state, he also urged partners and individuals who had received training to impart their skills and expertise to other employees.