Indications have emerged that active participation of health care providers at all levels is crucial to the promotion of the self-care interventions including the Depot Medroxy Progesterone Actate-Subcutaneous (DMPA-SC) self-injection modern contraceptive.

Just as it will enable more girls and women of reproductive age have the right tool information, supportive care and autonomy in accessing quality sexual reproductive health care services.

This formed part of the resolutions at the end of a 2-day orientation meeting with Ogun State Family Health Stakeholders on National Self-care/Self-injection Guideline in Abeokuta, organised by the State Primary Health Care Development Board in collaboration with the Federal Ministry Health, Pathfinder International, Nigeria and John Snow Incorporated (JSI).

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker posited that inclusion of DMPA-SC self-injection into the existing contraceptive commodities was capable of increasing the maternal health indices in the State, saying the roles of Reproductive Health Coordinators in the public and private facilities could not be undermined in achieving its accelerated introduction and scale-up plan.

Coker added that “it will ease the work load of health workers to serve a greater number of patients, as well as reducing their exposure to infections especially during pandemics such as the COVID-19”.

The Health Commissioner reiterated Governor Dapo Aboiodun-led administration’s resolve to improving the wellbeing of the people, saying that the present administration was committed to health care delivery of the citizens.

In his presentation, the Director, Reproductive Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Kayode Afolabi said the guideline was to achieve a successful implementation of the self-care intervention plan, stressing that it would provide specific resources and guidance to roll out facility and commodity-initiated service delivery.

On his part, the Executive Secretary, Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board (OGPHCDB), Dr. Elijah Ogunsola emphasised the need for a seamless integration of DMPA-SC self-injection into other modern contraceptive, seeking the support of the participants to enable the government deliver qualitative health care to residents irrespective of their ethnic, tribal, religious beliefs and locations.

Contributing, the Country Director, Pathfinder International, Nigeria, Dr. Amina Aminu, represented by Mrs. Hauwa Usman said health care programme should not be left in the hands of government alone, hence the need for public private participation, noting that her organisation was delighted to collaborate with the Ogun State Government in the implementation of the guideline.

Also speaking, the Country Coordinator, John Snow Incorporated, Dr. Adewole Adefalu stated that the intervention was crucial, especially at the time of the COVID-19, which he said had disrupted health care systems across the world.

In their separate remarks, the Reproductive Health Coordinators, Ifo and Abeokuta North Local Government Areas of the State, Mrs. Igemirin Adeyinka and Alhaja Olusola Saheed respecively, commended the Federal and State Governments for the initiative, promising to cascade the knowledge to others in their respective facilities.