Ondo State Partners with NGO to Train 168 Healthcare Providers on Birth Control 

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State.

The Ondo State Ministry of Health, in partnership with the international non-governmental organization, Jhpiego, has successfully trained 168 healthcare workers in the use of Hormonal Intrauterine Devices (H-IUDs) for birth control. This initiative is part of a broader project aimed at expanding access to long-term contraceptive methods in Ondo State. 

What is a Hormonal Intrauterine Device? 

A Hormonal Intrauterine Device is a type of birth control placed inside the uterus that releases hormones to prevent pregnancy. It is a long-term contraceptive method known for its effectiveness and reliability. 

Project Overview 

The project, titled Scaling up Hormonal Intrauterine Devices to Primary Health Care Facilities in Ondo State, Nigeria, was initiated in October 2023 by Jhpiego in collaboration with the Ondo State Government. Over the past year, 168 service providers have been trained to administer H-IUDs, improving their skills and confidence in providing these contraceptive services. Opeyemi Agunbiade, the state head of family planning, emphasized that the project’s success includes not only training healthcare workers but also equipping 15 pre-service educators with the skills needed for counselling, insertion, and removal of H-IUDs. These educators will, in turn, train future healthcare providers to ensure the continued provision of quality contraceptive services in the state. 

This project, which started in October last year, has recorded lots of success. We have trained and built the capacity of 168 service providers to initiate and provide hormonal IUD services, enhancing their skills and confidence. We have also equipped 15 pre-service educators and preceptors with knowledge and skills on hormonal IUD counselling, insertion, and removal procedures, ensuring future healthcare workers are competent in providing comprehensive contraceptive services,” said Opeyemi Agunbiade, the state head of family planning. 

Expanding Access to Family Planning 

According to the Project Coordinator, Mrs. Hannatu Abdullahi, the initiative aims to support Nigeria’s national H-IUD introduction and scale-up strategy. This effort is focused on increasing family planning options and meeting the reproductive health needs of Nigerian women. 

Government Support 

The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Niran Ikuomola, expressed gratitude to Jhpiego for the project. He highlighted the importance of family planning in helping families make informed reproductive decisions, which is particularly crucial in the current economic climate. Family planning, Ajaka noted, is a key public health intervention that allows women and couples to manage their reproductive health effectively, ultimately contributing to the well-being of the entire state. 

The partnership between the Ondo State Ministry of Health and Jhpiego marks a significant step toward improving reproductive health services in the state. By training 168 healthcare providers and equipping pre-service educators with the skills needed to offer hormonal IUD services, the initiative is expanding access to reliable, long-term contraception for women. As family planning remains crucial for both individual and societal well-being, this project sets the foundation for a healthier, more empowered population in Ondo State, while contributing to Nigeria’s broader reproductive health goals.