FGN collaborates with partners to enhance use of sexual, reproductive care products

The Federal Government has joined forces with the National Self-Care Network to promote access and use of self-care commodities and services to boost sexual, reproductive, and maternal health in Nigeria. In 2022, the government launched the National Guidelines on Self-care for Sexual, Reproductive, and Maternal Health and has continued to lead globally through the adoption of activities that cover self-injectables, self-testing, and other self-care products.

Partners in the network include the White Ribbon Alliance Nigeria (WRAN), the World Health Organization (WHO), John Snow Incorporated (JSI), the Society for Family Health (SFH), the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Foundation (PSNF), the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), and others.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, revealed during a three-day meeting that the partnership would enhance the coordination of sexual, reproductive, and maternal health for self-care and the development of a self-care monitoring and evaluation framework for Nigeria.

Mrs. Bola Alonge, Head of Family Health Department at the ministry, represented Ehanire at the meeting and explained that self-care empowers individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent diseases, manage illness and disability, and cope with their health, regardless of their location. She added that self-care continues to empower women to manage their sexual and reproductive health.

The meeting also featured the Evidence and Learning Working Group (ELWG) of Self-Care Trailblazer Group, led by Senior Research Advisor, SRH–PSI, Claire Rothschild, who shared the global standard for measurement of self-care for sexual and reproductive health and global priority indicators as an adaptable resource across countries. The tool will be a valuable resource for the development of a national self-care monitoring framework and will support the review of self-care performance/outcomes in line with global standards and best practices.