By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
In a renewed effort to boost access to quality sexual and reproductive health and family planning (SRH/FP) services across all 20 Local Government Areas of Bauchi State, MSI Reproductive Choices Nigeria, Bauchi Field Office, has begun developing its 2026 Family Planning Mobile Outreach Schedule and Work Plan.
The planning meeting, was organised in partnership with the Bauchi State Government through the Bauchi State Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other line MDAs.
Welcoming participants, the Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board (BASPHCDB), Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, underscored the importance of the engagement and commended MSI Reproductive Choices for continually providing essential services—such as IUCDs—geared toward reducing unplanned pregnancies.
He urged Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Coordinators and MSI outreach teams to intensify efforts, champion family planning at community levels, and involve religious leaders to strengthen awareness campaigns.
Declaring the meeting open, the State Commissioner of Health and Social Development, Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam, expressed appreciation to MSI Reproductive Choices for its sustained support to the state’s SRH/FP programmes. He noted that these interventions have significantly contributed to increased uptake of modern contraceptive methods.
Dr. Dambam charged the 20 MCH Coordinators and representatives of MDAs present to remain committed in developing an efficient 2026 work plan, stressing government’s priority to improve Maternal, Child, and Reproductive Health outcomes across Bauchi State.
Providing an overview of MSI’s work globally and nationally, the North-East Regional Manager, Mr. Dauda Samaila, said MSI Reproductive Choices operates in 36 countries, including Nigeria, where it has been active since 2009.
He highlighted that MSI is one of Nigeria’s leading providers of long-acting and permanent contraceptive methods and has been working closely with Bauchi State to expand access, build community awareness, train public health providers, and strengthen commodity availability.
Earlier, the MSI State Social Behavioural Change Communication Officer (SBCCO), Muhammad Mubarak Abubakar, explained that the meeting aimed to review 2025 implementation strategies, successes, challenges, and emerging best practices, while also projecting priorities for the 2026 outreach year.
He added that participants would identify and profile new outreach sites, strengthen community mobilisation systems, and agree on stakeholder engagement approaches.
A total of 52 participants attended the session, which featured presentations, group discussions, and plenary engagements—forming the foundation for a coordinated and impactful 2026 outreach campaign.