By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
A multi-donor funded program, Marie Stopes International Organisation Nigeria (MSION) have organised a One Day stakeholders engagement on Sexual and Reproductive Health Services (SRHS) and also reviewed it’s performance in Bauchi State.
The stakeholders’ dialogue, held at the conference hall of Bauchi LGA Secretariat, was aimed at facilitating the active voice of stakeholders in the design and promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health in their respective communities within the State’s central senatorial zone.
In an opening remark shortly before the commencement of the meeting, North East Regional Manager of MSION, Hussaina Maji said Marie Stopes is a result-oriented and non-profit social enterprise that uses modern management and marketing techniques to provide quality reproductive health care, child spacing and allied services with a view to reducing infant and maternal deaths in Bauchi State.
Represented by Muhammad Mubarak Abubakar, Social and Behavior Change Communications Officer of the Bauchi Outreach Team, Maji said, MSION mission was to ensure that families and women have children by choice, not chance stressing that, “We believe in a world where every mother can enjoy a
wanted and healthy pregnancy and childbirth; every child can survive
beyond their fifth birthday; and every woman, child and adolescent can thrive to realize their full potential” .
“Our impact and contribution in supporting the Government of Nigeria have been remarkable. We note that our collaboration with the Government has been fundamental to the results achieved these past years”, said the Regional Manager.
She further said that the Senatorial District stakeholders meeting was aimed to increase Stakeholders engagement, active voice and participation in the Sexual and Reproductive Health advocacy, promotion, and ownership in their communities.
It also aimed at providing two-way feedback to the communities and receiving community feedback on the work done as well as Joint review of key family planning issues, concerns and have a joint decision on solutions to address these concerns.
While making a presentation on MSION activities in the state, Maji disclosed that since its inception in 2009 (in Nigeria and 2012 in Bauchi State), MSION has been working in collaboration with the Government at all levels to support National and State efforts at reducing Maternal Mortality and Morbidity by
increasing access to and uptake of quality Sexual and Reproductive Health Services.
According to her, in 2021 in Bauchi state, MSION has averted 11,594 unintended pregnancies, averted 4,353 unsafe and 4,802 abortions, averted a total of 36,860 disability-adjusted life year (DALY), averted 59 maternal deaths while the total CYP generated was 92,806.
She added that MSION also recorded direct health cost save of the sum of N206, 832,178 just as it was able to achieve 18% youth reach (out of the total clients served) with its services across the State.
According to the statistics, MSION which is operating in the 20 LGAs of Bauchi State has a total number of 33,000 clients and 293 outreach sites, 93,000 family planning CYPs, 7 MS ladies /PPMVs, 3 service delivery channels with 18% adolescent reach.
In his presentation, the Regional M&E Officer, Jonathan Nachia represented by Ridwan Garba Bagel, Social & Behavior Change Communications Officer – Bauchi PSS Team assured that MSION will continue to provide quality family planning services to the people of the state.
He also expressed satisfaction with the way the services being provided by the organization is well accepted by the people inline with the policy of the state government.
Our correspondent reports that the stakeholders engagement and review meeting attracted high profile religious /community champions, women groups and other relevant CSOs in the state.