45 million women do not have access to family planning and sexual and reproductive health services – Effiom

About 45 million women of childbearing age do not have access to family planning and sexual and reproductive health services in the country, said an international non-governmental organization, Marie Stopes Nigeria.

Effiom Effiom, Country Director, Marie Stopes Nigeria, speaking in Abuja at a two-day workshop on sexual and reproductive health, organized by her organization in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, for leaders traditional and religious, explained that the lack of access to facilities for family planning and sexual and reproductive health services contributes to the high rates of maternal mortality in the country.

He added that the lack of commodities in health facilities, coupled with other traditional and religious barriers, had also led to high maternal mortality rates in the country.

The country director observed that the workshop was organized to educate traditional and religious leaders on critical issues affecting the provision and use of quality reproductive health services in the country.

Mamman Mahmuda, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, said traditional and religious leaders have a role to play in promoting advocacy and supporting demand creation for sexual and reproductive health services and rights for women. reduce maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria.