DKT Nigeria, in collaboration with the Sokoto State Ministry of Health, recently conducted a community outreach aimed at raising awareness about family planning. The two-day event, held at Maryam Abacha Hospital and Offa Road, emphasized the importance of contraceptive methods and reproductive health services for the local community.
The outreach, which coincided with the commemoration of DKT International Founder Phil Harvey’s legacy, provided over 700 men and women with access to a variety of family planning products. These included intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, and condoms, along with comprehensive health talks and vital checks conducted by experienced nurses.
In addition to offering contraceptive options, the sessions provided essential information on topics such as child spacing, the significance of family planning, and its positive impact on maternal health and overall family welfare. The event attracted considerable participation and support from both community members and local dignitaries.
Prominent figures present included the Sarkin Yaki Gagi, Malami Marafa, who encouraged women to embrace family planning for the betterment of their families. Other key attendees from the Sokoto Ministry of Health included Dr. Tukur Garba, Director of the Primary Healthcare Board; Shafaatu Bello, Reproductive Health Coordinator; and Salamatu Muhammed, State Team Lead for Monitoring & Evaluation.
The statement released after the event highlighted the strong collaboration between local leaders and healthcare professionals, indicating a growing willingness among the residents to embrace family planning and improve their reproductive health.
This outreach comes at a critical time, as a June report highlighted that economic hardship in Nigeria is driving many women to adopt birth control measures. The report noted that the rising cost of living has led to an increase in abortions among married couples, as families seek to limit their size to reduce financial strain.
