*Maternal mortality: Edo vows to prioritise, sustain family planning intervention
By Jethro Ibileke
The Challenge Initiative (TCI), Nigeria, has formally handed over its family planning programme to the Edo State government for sustained ownership.
TCI Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Taiwo Johnson, announced the formal handover at a stakeholders’ meeting on sustaining family planning interventions held on Tuesday in Benin, the state capital.
He noted that the handover marked a significant milestone in their journey with the Edo State government, which started over three and a half years ago.
She described the transitioning point as signaling a shift in responsibility from TCI to the government for all family planning activities in the state.
“Now that we are transitioning to self-reliance, we expect Edo to take complete ownership of all family planning activities,” she said
Johnson noted that global funding for family planning had reduced, referencing the withdrawal of support by major partners like USAID and other international donors.
She stated that although TCI 2.0 was coming to a close, a new version was expected in 2026, with modalities still under discussion.
She commended the Edo State Ministry of Health and staff for their support, especially their collaboration with the state programme coordinator since the project’s inception.
Johnson revealed that, unlike 2024, the state has not secured any funding for family planning in 2025, stressing that the gap must be addressed urgently.
“No product, no service, even with training, demand generation, and media support, if commodities are not available, family planning services will fail.” she emphasised.
She also acknowledged the contributions of other partners collaborating to ensure that Edo’s family planning indices continued to improve.
“Family planning is critical. If properly implemented, it can reduce maternal mortality by as much as 30 percent
According to her, with the commitment of the Commissioner, Edo can successfully continue the implementation of TCI’s family planning model.
In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, noted that family planning gives women the power to strive, families the freedom to plan, and society the opportunity to prosper.
He commended TCI efforts at addressing the critical gap in the state public health landscape.
He emphasised that with focused intervention in nine local government areas, TCI has helped Edo improve service delivery and build the capacity of health workers.
“We have seen a measurable increase in contraceptive pre-balance, a stronger referral system, and an encouraging reduction in the unmet need for family planning services.
“We have witnessed a shift in communities towards accepting and owning their reproductive choices guided by accurate information and data.
“TCI may be closing shop in terms of direct implementation. But, the seeds they have planted will continue to yield results for years to come.
“Let us continue to champion the message that family planning is not a health issue. It is a development tool,” Oshiomhole said.
Maternal mortality: Edo vows to prioritise, sustain family planning intervention
Edo State Government has assured of its commitment to sustain and expand the family planning interventions, to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin, at the formal handing over of a family planning programme by the Challenge Initiative (TCI), Nigeria.
Oshiomhole who commended the TCI for its partnership of over three years, which has addressed critical gaps in the public health sector.
According to him, the uptake of family planning services across the local government areas, the dedication and innovation of the community-based approach brought reproductive health closer to the people, empowered families, strengthened systems and improved outcomes.
He noted that TCI’s footprints, which have become visible in the improved access to family planning commodities and integration of youth-friendly services, have expanded knowledge of communities on the benefits of voluntary family planning.
The Commissioner noted that there has been a shift in the mindset of communities towards accepting and owning their reproductive choices, which has been guided by adequate information and respectful care.
“With focus intervention in nine LGAs, TCI has helped to drive demand creation, improve service and build the capacity of health workers.
“The ministry took up the challenge of replicating TCI’s model in the remaining nine local government areas. We did this not just to match TCI’s efforts but to ensure a state-wide reach, one that affirms our commitment to equitable health care access across the 18 local government areas.
“The results speak for themselves, we have an immeasurable increase in contraceptive prevalence, a stronger referral system and an encouraging reduction in unmet needs for family planning services,” he said.
In her remark, TCI Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Taiwo Johnson, announced the formal handover of the family planning interventions to the State Government.
She noted that the handover marked a significant milestone in their journey with the Edo State government, which started over three and a half years ago.
She described the transitioning point as signalling a shift in responsibility from TCI to the government for all family planning activities in the state.
“Now that we are transitioning to self-reliance, we expect Edo to take complete ownership of all family planning activities,” she said
Johnson noted that global funding for family planning had reduced, referencing the withdrawal of support by major partners like USAID and other international donors.
She stated that although TCI 2.0 was coming to a close, a new version was expected in 2026, with modalities still under discussion.
She commended the Edo State Ministry of Health and staff for their support, especially their collaboration with the state programme coordinator since the project’s inception.
Johnson revealed that, unlike in 2024, the state has not secured any funding for family planning in 2025, stressing that the gap must be addressed urgently.
“No product, no service, even with training, demand generation, and media support, if commodities are not available, family planning services will fail,” she emphasised.
She also acknowledged the contributions of other partners collaborating to ensure that Edo’s family planning indices continued to improve.
“Family planning is critical. If properly implemented, it can reduce maternal mortality by as much as 30 per cent.
According to her, with the commitment of the Commissioner, Edo can successfully continue the implementation of TCI’s family planning model.
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