Lagos Targets Safer Motherhood, Family Planning In New Reproductive Health Policy

LAGOS – The Lagos State Govern­ment, in collaboration with the Saving One Million Lives Program for Results (SOM­LPforR), has taken a bold step in strengthening repro­ductive health services by domesticating the National Reproductive Health Policy.

The five-day workshop which was held in Lagos brought together stakehold­ers from across the health sector to refine and adapt the policy framework to align with the state’s unique healthcare challenges.

Organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the workshop aimed to create a more inclusive and effective policy that enhances mater­nal and child health services. Experts from public health, the private sector, traditional medicine, and government agencies engaged in detailed discussions on ways to im­prove reproductive health outcomes.

Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho, Program Manager of SOM­LP for R, highlighted that the domestication of the policy would significantly enhance reproductive healthcare, particularly in family plan­ning, safe motherhood, and adolescent reproductive health services. “This policy ensures a structured frame­work that improves service delivery across healthcare levels in Lagos State,” she explained.

She further emphasized the importance of integrat­ing traditional birth atten­dants (TBAs) into the policy framework. “We acknowl­edge the role TBAs play in maternal care, but it is cru­cial they are properly trained and regulated. Encouraging them to register with the gov­ernment will reduce compli­cations and ultimately save lives,” she added.

Dr. Erinosho noted that teenage pregnancy remains a growing concern, stress­ing that the policy would provide targeted interven­tions to address the health needs of adolescent moth­ers. “By recognizing the specific needs of this group, we can create strategies that support young mothers and significantly reduce mater­nal mortality in this demo­graphic,” she explained.

According to her, the domesticated policy would serve as a foundation for improving overall repro­ductive health indicators in Lagos. “This initiative will strengthen family planning services, enhance respons­es to gender-based violence, and ultimately lead to better maternal and child health outcomes,” she stated.

Dr. Kelvin Otumunye, Safe Motherhood Program Manager at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, ex­plained that the domestica­tion of the policy is not mere­ly about adopting national guidelines but modifying them to suit Lagos’ unique healthcare landscape. “La­gos has a high population density and an advanced healthcare system, requir­ing policies that directly ad­dress its peculiar challeng­es,” he stated.

He highlighted key fo­cus areas such as maternal mortality reduction, perina­tal death surveillance, and strengthening family plan­ning services. “Reproductive health in Lagos goes beyond maternal care; it encompass­es addressing gender-based violence, improving perina­tal care, and ensuring access to contraceptive options,” he explained.

Dr. Otumunye further pointed out that the process involves revising policies to reflect Lagos’ realities. “We are not just implementing the national policy as it is; we are refining it to ensure that it directly addresses the needs of Lagos residents,” he added.

He also noted that the policy framework would be implemented in phases, starting with strengthening existing health facilities and expanding access to reproductive health educa­tion. “Through increased awareness and healthcare accessibility, we expect to see more women utilizing family planning services and reduced cases of ma­ternal complications,” he said.

Dr. Olayinka Atobatele, a public health consultant and facilitator at the workshop, described the initiative as a transformative step toward improving reproductive healthcare in Lagos. “The 2017 National Reproduc­tive Health Policy is being revised to include updated strategies that ensure better maternal and child health­care access,” he explained.

She added that the re­vised policy would ensure improved family planning services, safe motherhood initiatives, and post-abortion care. “By creating a more in­clusive and adaptable policy, we can ensure that reproduc­tive health services cater to all groups, from teenage mothers to older women,” he noted.

The workshop also fea­tured technical sessions where stakeholders worked in groups to refine various aspects of reproductive health policy implementa­tion. Mrs. Ruth Badejo, Di­rector of Nursing Services at the Lagos State Health Service Commission, em­phasized the need to bridge policy gaps that affect ma­ternal and neonatal out­comes. “By identifying and addressing existing gaps, we can position Lagos as a lead­er in reproductive health policy implementation,” she stated.

Mrs. Badejo highlighted the importance of collab­oration between modern healthcare providers and traditional medicine prac­titioners. “Unregistered TBAs contribute to ma­ternal mortality, and this policy aims to strengthen partnerships between mod­ern and traditional health practitioners for safer deliv­eries,” she added.

After the workshop, a detailed policy document tailored to Lagos’ needs was finalised. The next phase will involve validation, stakeholder engagement, and public sensitisation before full implementation across the state’s healthcare facilities.

With Lagos State lead­ing this initiative, experts believe that other states in Nigeria may follow suit in ensuring that reproductive health policies reflect the real healthcare challenges faced by their populations. This domesticated policy is expected to serve as a mod­el for localized healthcare strategies nationwide.