Hope Ajayi 
EBONYI, Nigeria – Residents of Ebonyi State have been urged to access free family planning services at public healthcare facilities to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce unsafe abortions and lower maternal and neonatal deaths.
The State Coordinator of Family Planning, Ebonyi State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Christy Ikechukwu, made on Sunday, during activities marking the 2026 World Contraception Day in the state, said the campaign theme, “No Barriers, Just Choices: Contraceptive Access Now,” underscored the need to remove obstacles limiting access to family planning services.
Ikechukwu said family planning services were available free of charge at healthcare facilities across the state, urging residents to take advantage of them.
She attributed the growing uptake of family planning services partly to the increased deployment of health workers to healthcare facilities, particularly in rural communities.
The coordinator also advised residents to seek accurate information about contraceptive methods from trained healthcare providers rather than rely on misconceptions about possible side effects.
She urged men to support their partners in making informed decisions about family planning.
Mrs Ogoamaka Aginam, Regional Manager, South, MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices, said proper child spacing could contribute to reducing maternal and neonatal deaths while improving household welfare.
Aginam, however, identified cultural and religious beliefs as among the barriers discouraging some families from adopting family planning methods.
She called for increased awareness to address misconceptions and improve access to accurate information.
Family Planning Supervisors in Ohaukwu and Ezza South Local Government Areas, Mrs. Okpaga Mary and Mrs. Eleke Jacinta, said the campaign was aimed at promoting a situation where every pregnancy was wanted.
They stressed that voluntary access to family planning services, supported by accurate information, was essential to reducing unintended pregnancies and preventable maternal deaths.
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Korede Abdullah 