Kogi State Government, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and development partners, has commenced a comprehensive training program on Hormonal Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) for nurses and medical records officers across the state.
The initiative, supported by Engender Health, seeks to bridge the gap in family planning services and increase access to modern contraceptive options for women of reproductive age.
Declaring the program open in Lokoja, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Steven Momoh Aziz, said the training reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes.
According to him, boosting the capacity of healthcare workers will empower them to provide better counseling and service delivery to women seeking safer, more reliable family planning options.
Speaking during the opening session, the Project Coordinator, Dr. Afolabi Ahmed Shola, noted that the initiative was informed by findings from the 2023 Demographic and Health Survey, which revealed a high unmet need for family planning in Kogi State.
He explained that enhancing nurses’ technical skills and equipping medical records officers with data management expertise will enable healthcare facilities to provide more efficient, evidence-based services.
A total of 50 health workers, including 25 nurses and 25 medical records officers, are participating in the programme. The training not only focuses on the insertion and management of hormonal IUDs but also emphasizes accurate data documentation, which is critical for tracking service delivery and improving health policy implementation.
According to health officials, the program is expected to significantly improve access to modern contraceptive methods, reduce maternal mortality, and enhance overall reproductive health services in Kogi State.
They noted that the intervention will also help address misconceptions about family planning while empowering women to make informed choices regarding their reproductive health.
