By Dr Eze Nwokoma

The Society for Family Health (SFH) organised a simulated Hormonal Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) practicum on model training through the Momentum Private Healthcare Delivery (MPHD) Project in Delta and Abia States. This initiative aimed to strengthen the expertise of qualified providers in private facilities in providing Hormonal IUD services. This brings to 11 the number of states that have received training of private sector Family Planning Providers on Hormonal IUD through the project in the past one year.

Key stakeholders were present to lend their expertise and support the training. In Delta State, the Director of Public Health, Dr Tetsola Christian, the Sexual and Reproductive Health Coordinator, Dr Francis Weyinmi, and the Family Planning Coordinator, Mrs Ekeh Patience, highlighted the need for collaborative effort towards advancing family planning services.

Dr Tetsola Christian, Director of Public Health, appreciated the Society for Family Health for extending training on Hormonal IUDs to the private facilities in Delta State. He emphasised the role of accurate data reporting by private facilities to the District Health Information System (DHIS) database. This, he said will increase the visibility of the impact made by the private facilities to improving the lives of women of reproductive age.

Mrs Eke Patience, the family planning coordinator reaffirmed Delta State’s dedication to ensuring the proficiency and competence of family planning providers in private facilities. This commitment is a testament to the State Ministry of Health’s endeavor to provide accessible and quality family planning services to all while curbing quackery in private facilities.

In Abia state the Family Planning Coordinator, Mrs Kelechi Iheama was present alongside the state master trainers. Mrs Iheama harped on the need for data and reporting from the private facilities.  She stated that religious and cultural biases should not prevent providers in private facilities from always providing quality family planning services.

The MPHD Programme Coordinator Dr Eze Nwokoma alongside the Master Trainers from the State Ministries of Health facilitated the practical session which featured hands-on practice in Delta and Abia State on the 21st and 24th of August respectively. This interactive approach fostered engagement, discussions, and valuable feedback, contributing to a dynamic learning environment.

The impact of the training resonates beyond the session itself, also having a lasting effect on improving family planning services in Delta State and Abia State. Participants left with increased confidence and proficiency, ready to implement their newfound skills in their respective roles as Registered Nurses/Midwives and Doctors.

Service Support Packages including the Hormonal IUD and Consumables were donated to the facilities to ensure quality service provision.

The Society for Family Health through the Momentum Private Healthcare Delivery (MPHD) has trained 179 Private sector family Planning providers in 11 states on Hormonal IUD. These include Kano, Enugu, Oyo, Edo, Imo, Rivers, FCT, Ogun, Abia, Lagos and Delta states.