The suspension of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on the directive of President Donald Trump has severely affected the family planning programme in Bauchi State.
Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, stated that this suspension has disrupted the distribution of family planning commodities.
He explained that this situation poses significant challenges in maintaining a reliable supply of family planning commodities to health facilities statewide.
These comments were made during an advocacy visit by members of the Civil Society Organisation, Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD), on Thursday in Bauchi.
Dr Mohammed remarked that USAID had been pivotal in ensuring the last-mile distribution of family planning commodities to primary health care facilities across the state.
“However, with the suspension of their activities, these facilities are now experiencing stockouts, even as demand for family planning services at the community level continues to rise,” he added.
He further indicated that the board is convening meetings to ensure that family planning commodities reach all health facilities without any diversion of supplies.
Expressing his disappointment over the suspension of USAID’s activities, Mohammed highlighted the detrimental impact on family planning services in the state.
He also noted that the Bauchi State government had allocated 50 million Naira in counterpart funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to supply family planning commodities.
Additionally, Mohammed praised the Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD) for their unwavering efforts in promoting family planning, immunisation, and other maternal, newborn, and child health services.
Speaking on behalf of J4PD, Mr Bashir Hassan, Knowledge and Communication Specialist, assured that the organisation remains committed to raising public awareness.
He stressed that increasing the uptake of healthcare services would significantly contribute to the state’s economic development.
