In its bid to assess the level of public knowledge, acceptability and utilization of Family Planning Service across the State, the Media Action for Family Planning Plateau State working with support from Plateau State Primary Health Care Development Agency, The Challenge Initiative (TCI) and Development Communications Network visited some health facilities in Jos North LGA, Plateau State.

The Health Facilities visited were Primary Health Care Centre Township Jos and Primary Health Care Centre Dogon Agogo all in Jos North LGA.

Chairperson of the team, Gwamkat Gwamzhi who lead the delegation and other Members were warmly received by Mrs Esther Bala and Mrs Hannah Gyang of Primary Health Care Centre Township Jos and Dogon Agogo respectively.

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Speaking to the delegation, the service Providers of the Health Facilities visited, Mrs. Ladi Godwin Diyal (PHC Township Jos) and Mrs Hannah Gyang who is the Health Officer in-charge of PHC Dogon Agogo expressed satisfaction with the public acceptance of the services being rendered.

They hinted the delegation that among the services they render which include Implant, barrier, injectable contraceptives etc, the implant and injectable methods are the most patronized by the clients.

Family Planning Services are provided to both men and women but Women were said to be responding positively than their opposite sex according to the service Providers.

The service provider lauded response by women at the facilities to Family Planning saying it is commendable.

They also commended men for their supportive roles to their wives as some go as far as accompanying their wives to the health facilities for the service.

They said the youths are not left behind as they have keyed into family planning. Though they said the youths mostly patronize condoms.

Patronage at the facilities visited were noticed to be impressive and not seasonal as they record 20-30 clients per day cutting across the different religions.

The Service Provider charged the Media to create more awareness to encourage family planning saying the benefits are numerous to the people and Nation at large. They also hinted that they provide proper education on the service as well as dispel the myths and misconceptions about Family Planning which are adversely affecting certain population of the public.

It was observed that clients from neighbouring of Bauchi and Kaduna States do visit to access the service.
Plans are underway for an outreach for people coming outside the State.

On the challenges being experienced, the service providers disclosed that shortage or lack of commodities sometime affect the unit as they do go out to obtain from the market in the case of shortage.

Men were said to patronize condoms as none has done permanent contraception (vasectomy).

The service Providers said in the case of adverse reactions of the services, clients are counselled and given appropriate drugs to suppress same.

At PHC Dogon Agogo, only one Teenager of 18 Years was said to have visited for the service in the past three Months.

Some clients who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed delight at the services. They commended the professionalism displayed by the Service Provider saying they are enjoying the services. They promised to encourage other women who are yet to embrace family planning to do so on account of the benefits to them, their family and society.

Gwamkat Gwamzhi, Chairman of the Team reiterated the Commitment of the Team to carryout robust awareness across the whole State for greater acceptability and utilization of the service.

She underscored the importance of Family Planning to include quality education, good health status of citizens of the State, improved quality of lives of mothers/children/the entire household, reduction in maternal death and infant mortality in the State etc.

She said the team will continue to educate and enlighten citizens of the State on the benefits of family planning as listed.

Mr. Wika Gofwen of Plateau Radio Television Corporation Jos and other partners from The Challenge Initiative (TCI) were part of the tour.

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Plateau State Media Action for Family Planning Visits Health Facilities in Jos North LGA