IPAS Unveils New Programme To Reduce Unsafe Abortion In Anambra

The International Planned Parenthood Federation-affiliated organisation, IPAS, has unveiled a six-to-seven-year programme aimed at reducing unsafe abortion and improving access to post-abortion care and contraceptive services in Anambra State.

The programme was announced when the Co-Director of IPAS, Samsu Gombwer, led a delegation, on a courtesy visit to the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, in Awka on Wednesday.

Gombwer, also in the company of a former Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Brian Adinma, said the new programme would build on existing interventions in the state, with emphasis on policy, community engagement and strengthening of the health system.

He said IPAS had worked with the Anambra State Ministry of Health over the past two years on policy dissemination and training of healthcare workers in post-abortion care and contraceptive services.

According to him, the new programme will expand the organisation’s intervention to about 20 additional health facilities in the state, building on the 19 facilities where it had previously worked.

He said implementation would begin with stakeholder engagement and an assessment of the state’s health system, followed by baseline assessments and training of state trainers.

The trained personnel, he added, would subsequently provide continuous on-the-job training for healthcare workers.

Responding, Obidike said the state was pleased to have been selected as one of the five priority states among the eight states participating in the programme.

He said the long-term nature of the intervention placed a responsibility on the government and its partners to ensure that its objectives were achieved.

The Commissioner stressed the need for effective collaboration among government officials, agencies and other stakeholders involved in reproductive and maternal health.

Obidike also highlighted the importance of improving access to contraceptive and family planning services, noting that better access to such services could contribute to reducing maternal deaths.

He expressed optimism that the partnership with IPAS would strengthen the state’s existing efforts to improve maternal health and access to reproductive healthcare services.