Elochukwu Benjamin
Awka
The Anambra State Government recorded 18,389 new family planning acceptors between January and June 2026 as it intensified efforts to eliminate barriers to contraceptive access and improve reproductive health services across the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike made the disclosure on Monday in Awka during a press briefing to commemorate the 2026 World Contraception Day, themed, “No Barriers, Just Choices: Contraceptive Access Now.”
Obidike, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Obiageli Uchebo, said the state remained committed to ensuring residents have access to safe contraceptive methods, accurate information and professional counselling to enable informed reproductive health decisions.
According to Uchebo, access to contraception goes beyond making commodities available, stressing that quality counselling and a variety of safe and effective family planning options are essential for informed choice.
She noted that the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey showed that 15 per cent of currently married women aged 15 to 49 in Anambra still have an unmet need for family planning, despite the state ranking among those with the lowest unmet need nationwide.
Providing updates on the state’s family planning programme, Uchebo said 146,183 clients received counselling in 2025, resulting in 44,615 new acceptors. She added that in the first six months of 2026 alone, 73,687 people were counselled, while 18,389 adopted family planning methods.
She further disclosed that health facilities across the state administered 13,726 injectable contraceptives, provided 5,402 implants, carried out 537 intrauterine device insertions and rendered condom services to 11,186 clients within the six-month period.
The Permanent Secretary said postpartum family planning services were also strengthened, with 17,814 women receiving counselling, while 978 women received Implanon NXT insertions and 489 received Jadelle insertions after childbirth.
Uchebo described family planning as a critical intervention for preventing unintended pregnancies, reducing pregnancy-related complications and maternal deaths, and lowering the risks associated with unsafe abortions. She added that it also contributes to women’s education, economic empowerment and improved family wellbeing.
She emphasised that contraceptive services must be based on informed choice and delivered through respectful, confidential and non-judgmental counselling.
The Permanent Secretary identified misinformation, fear of side effects, stigma, provider bias, geographical barriers and limited availability of preferred contraceptive methods as key obstacles still affecting uptake.
Reaffirming the commitment of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration to strengthening reproductive healthcare, Uchebo called on healthcare workers, community leaders, development partners and the media to intensify efforts at correcting misinformation and dispelling myths surrounding contraception.
Also speaking, the Assistant Family Planning Coordinator in the Ministry of Health, Chioma Okedo, said myths, cultural practices and religious misconceptions continue to discourage many people from embracing family planning.
She said some people still wrongly believe contraceptives cause infertility or death, while some cultural beliefs link women’s use of family planning with infidelity. Okedo added that some Christians mistakenly equate family planning with abortion, while provider bias also discourages access to services.
She stressed the need for sustained public education to enable individuals make informed reproductive health choices.
The event ended with a road walk through major streets in Awka to sensitise residents on the benefits of family planning and encourage them to access services from trained healthcare providers.
