Stakeholders in Borno including media have been urged to ensure successful implementation of National Guideline on Self-Care for Sexual Reproductive and Maternal Health (SRMH) in Nigeria.
Dr Stella Nwosu, the Director and Head, Department of Family Health in the Federal Ministry of Health, made the call in her speech on Tuesday at the dessimination of the guidelines and inauguration of members of Borno Self-Care Advocacy network.
Nwosu said stakeholders, particularly the media in Borno have critical role to play through thier sphere of influence in the implementation of the national guideline.
Nwosu said that Self-care is the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health care provider, making it something very important.
“kindly recall that during the early stages of COVID-19 pandemic, the limitation of conventional health services was made more obvious with the disruption of health service delivery in some health facilities, Self-care intervention through Community pharmacy and PPMVs were helpful to sustain health services.
“Furthermore, Self-care aim to reduce unnecessary overdependence on health facilities for services which individuals or families could provide for themselves. It is an integral and complementary component of the overall health care system.
“The benefits of Self-Care to the Health System has enormous benefits such as reduced workload on health care workers and increased access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in a safe and private space leveraging innovations and digital platforms to access or deliver safe and appropriate health care services,” Nwosu said.
Speaking in a goodwill message by partners, Jennifer Adebambo, the Country Programme and Advocacy Manager of White Ribon Alliance Nigeria, stressed the commitment of the organisation in ensuring Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is achieved through Self-care adoption.
“As part of our mandate to promote self-care in Nigeria, White Ribbon Alliance Nigeria in collaboration with International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Federal Ministry of Health has convened the Self-Care Advocacy Network (SAN) with the aim of bringing together key state actors across CSOs, professional groups, and other key organizations with roles that promote self-care in Borno State.
“Sexual and reproductive health is a fundamental aspect of our lives, influencing not only our physical well-being but also our emotional and social experiences.
“Maternal health, in particular, is a topic that touches us all, as it is integral to the well-being of mothers and the future generations they bring into this world.
“In many ways, this orientation meeting is an opportunity to equip ourselves with knowledge and understanding that can transform lives. It’s about ensuring that every individual, regardless of their gender, age, or background, has the tools and information needed to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health”, Adebambo said.
Others who presented goodwill messages at the occasion included the Borno State Ministry of Health Director Pharmaceutical Services, Aliyu Atabo, UN Population Fund (UNFPA) represented by a Sexual Reproductive Health Specialist, Dr Kyaw Wai Aung, Jerry Joel, the Borno State Monitoring and Evacuation Officer of Society fo Family Health (SFH) reiterated the commitment of their organisations towards the success of the programme.
Highlight of the occasion is the administration of oath to members of the Borno Self-care Advocacy network by Commissioner of Health represented by the Director Pharmaceutical Services.
