The Federal Government has expressed its interest to partner with Federal Republic of Germany on family planning advocacy nation-wide in the bid to bring economic growth as par with population growth in Nigeria.

Receiving a German delegation led by the Federal Minister for Economic Corporation and Development, Germany, His Excellency Dr. Gerd Muller in Abuja, Dr. Ehanire recalled that Nigerian – Germany relationship is an old tie, dating from the 60s with their Technical cooperation in the construction of Nigerian bridges and roads.

The Minister underlined the need to educate women on birth control, nutrition and the essence of healthy living, saying that Federal government is extremely interested in being able to manage its population growth. This interest, Ehanire said, is demonstrated in the current revitalisation of Primary Health Centres across the country, by the Federal Government.

He however regretted that Primary Healthcare Centres in the Northeast region of the country have been destroyed as a result of insurgency and the health services available are only emergencies, but “Federal government is not relenting in its oars to ensure qualitative healthcare delivery”. He assured.

Also speaking, the Honourable Minister of State, Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe  Mamora, pointed out that the Health Ministry has been paying  particular attention to child- health,  especially the under- five children.

He added that emphasis is focused on the health of mother and child, starting from the womb: good antenatal care, nutrition and exclusive breastfeeding to fortify the child. He maintained that these efforts will reduce issues relating to iron deficiency, anaemia and other preventable diseases which could be checked with routine immunization.  

The Director, National Primary Health Care, Dr. Faisal Shuaib commended His Excellency Dr. Gerd Muller and the entire German Republic for the support extended to Nigeria through its flexible funding from Global Fund and GAVI, specifically designed for the eradication of Polio, in Nigeria.

He appreciated the Minister’s visionary leadership in championing the Community Health Influencers and Promoters Programme (CHIPS) who are trained on how to convince women about the use of family planning products.

Dr. Shuaib also informed that the Ministry is interested in finding ways to make family planning commodities available at the community level though challenges such as child mortality, limited stock of family planning products, epileptic fund and technical issues are experienced. He therefore, solicited for more support from the Germans in this regards.

Speaking earlier, German Economic Corporation and Development Minister, His Excellency Dr. Gerd Muller said that they were on a two-day visit to expand their relationship with Nigeria in its health sector and also to seek cooperation in family planning, fertility rate and on how to control population in Nigeria.