The Plateau state government has been commended and awarded with an outstanding performance award for excelling in the area of reproductive health.
The award was presented to the government through the state Ministry of Health by Society for Family Health during a transition program of the Delivery Innovation in Self-Care (DISC) intervention in Plateau State at Silk Suites in Jos, the state capital.
The program started in Plateau state from July, 2022 and lasted to March, 2024, in Five local government areas of Bassa, Jos South, Jos North, Jos East and Mangu in Plateau state with Jos South taking the lead as rated 68% in self-inject. Within the period, the Delivering Innovations in Self-Care (DISC) raised from 17% to 49% at the national level and is now receiving acceptance across the state with more awareness from media engagement.
Some women who testified at the one day event said they have overcome the initial phobia and now embrace the self-inject method of the childbirth spacing, noting that it gives them the needed autonomy they desire and it cut cost of transportation to the healthcare facility.
Mr. Fidelis Edeth, Business Manager, Research and Data Analysis of DISC program said Plateau state has done excellently well and the first phase of the project is closing out by May ending. According to him, the meeting is more of a close out of the project in Plateau state.
He explained that the DISC program is aimed at empowering women by introducing safe care into the family planning space to reduce the burden on the health service delivery point where clients approach health care facility to obtain family care services which sometimes is quite overwhelming as a result of low manpower in the country.
Mr. Fidelis said one thing that has been innovative in the family planning is the introduction of the DMPA-SC which allows client to self-inject themselves at the convenience of their house. He said they have trained providers with the skill to be able to support clients through their journey to safe-inject and that makes them to achieve great result in the country.
The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cletus Shurkuk, who was represented at the occasion by a Director in the Ministry, Dr. Mafwalal Masok, received the award on behalf of the State Government. State Primary Education Board also received an award from the Society for Family Health.
There were presentations and contributions from the family for Society Health by Mrs. Asabe Mwansat, Chairman, Advocacy Care Group, Prof. Josiah Mutihir, Plateau State Reproductive Health Coordinator, Mrs. Rahila Telfim among other partners.