Lagos State Takes Steps to Improve Access to Contraceptives

The Lagos State government is rolling out community programs to tackle issues blocking access to contraceptives. This plan aims to boost family planning use across the state.

Kemi Ogunyemi, the Governor's Special Adviser on Health, shared this news with journalists during the launch of the Avibela Hormonal Intrauterine Device (IUD) in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday.

She mentioned that the state's family planning programs target men, traditional leaders, religious leaders, and other key community members. This is to clear up misunderstandings and increase acceptance of contraceptive services.

"We believe that no matter how you look at it, men still have this power over women’s choices," Ms Ogunyemi said.

She highlighted that getting men involved is crucial for IUD users. Some women ask to have the device removed after their husbands complain about feeling the strings during sex.

Ms Ogunyemi noted that ongoing awareness campaigns have helped to clear up myths and misinformation about family planning and contraceptive use.

The government is also looking for ways to provide family planning services in riverine and hard-to-reach areas where people often struggle to get healthcare.

"We are working towards that. We need to build more primary healthcare facilities. We are hiring more people to go there," she said.

Nigeria still faces big challenges in accessing modern contraceptives, despite efforts to improve reproductive healthcare services.

While women make up nearly half of Nigeria's population of over 200 million, the use of modern contraceptive methods is still low. Health experts say millions of women of reproductive age still need family planning services.

The country also has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. Unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and high fertility rates add to preventable deaths among mothers and newborns. Public health experts see family planning as one of the best ways to improve maternal and child health.

Women have access to various contraceptive methods, including condoms, diaphragms, vaginal rings, and IUDs, which can release hormones or not.

At the event, DKT International, a social enterprise that focuses on sexual and reproductive health products, introduced Avibela. This hormone-releasing IUD prevents pregnancy for up to eight years.

The T-shaped device is placed inside the uterus by a trained healthcare worker and gradually releases levonorgestrel, a hormone often used in contraceptive pills.

During a keynote speech, Ayodeji Oluwole, chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), said Nigeria’s need for contraception is affected by many factors. These include supply chain issues, fear of side effects, cultural and religious beliefs, widespread misconceptions, and gaps in access between cities and rural areas.

He stated that about one in five Nigerian women of reproductive age has an unmet need for contraception. An estimated 6.8 million unintended pregnancies happen every year.

The Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Lagos explained that hormonal IUDs solve several problems with contraceptive use. They offer a highly effective, long-lasting, and reversible option that does not require daily attention.

"They bypass the need for daily pill adherence while simultaneously offering clinical health benefits that help reduce cultural stigmas, ultimately increasing family planning acceptance nationwide," Mr Oluwole said.

Also speaking, DKT International’s Country Director, Debo Satapathy, said the organization is collaborating with private healthcare providers, non-profits, and government health authorities. This is to make sure the product is available across Nigeria.

He pointed out that Avibela is already in over 19 countries and went through extensive clinical testing before arriving in Nigeria.

"We make sure that every batch that we get here is lab tested before they are distributed in the system," he said.

Mr Satapathy added that DKT International plans outreach programs to provide the product for free to women who cannot afford it.