Experts have renewed calls for expanded access to modern contraceptive methods to enhance women's reproductive health outcomes in Nigeria. The appeal was made during the launch of Avibela by DKT International Nigeria in Lagos, an event that gathered healthcare professionals, government representatives, gynaecologists, maternal health specialists, and public health advocates.
Professor Emphasizes Unmet Contraceptive Needs
Prof. Ayodeji Oluwole, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Lagos and Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, stressed the necessity of widening access to modern contraceptive methods. He noted that many Nigerian women still face unmet contraceptive needs despite the availability of various family planning options.
According to Prof. Oluwole, hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) represent a significant advancement because they provide highly effective, long-acting, and reversible contraception while also helping to manage conditions such as heavy menstrual bleeding and menstrual pain. He said the introduction of Avibela expands contraceptive choices available to women and provides healthcare professionals with an additional tool for improving reproductive health outcomes and quality of life.
Unintended Pregnancies and Barriers
The professor highlighted that Nigeria records approximately 6.8 million unintended pregnancies annually, linking this trend to limited access to quality reproductive healthcare services. He explained that many women seeking to terminate unintended pregnancies often resort to unsafe procedures performed by unqualified individuals, contributing to preventable morbidity and mortality. Oluwole also identified cultural and religious barriers as factors limiting contraceptive uptake, adding that effective use of family planning methods could reduce maternal morbidity and mortality by 60 to 70 percent.
DKT International's Commitment
Debo Satapathy, Country Director of DKT International Nigeria, stated that the launch of Avibela reflects the organisation's commitment to expanding access to safe, effective, and convenient reproductive healthcare solutions for women. He explained that reproductive healthcare extends beyond pregnancy prevention, emphasizing that women require options that support their comfort, confidence, overall health, and ability to make informed decisions about their future. Satapathy said Avibela provides women with a reliable long-term contraceptive method while also helping to manage heavy menstrual bleeding, which significantly affects quality of life. He noted that the organisation's objective is to expand contraceptive choice and improve women's wellbeing by ensuring access to modern healthcare solutions that support their reproductive goals.
Decade-Long Efforts in Family Planning
Precious Chima, a DKT representative, highlighted the organisation's decade-long efforts to improve access to family planning commodities across Nigeria through product distribution, provider training, awareness campaigns, and healthcare partnerships. She disclosed that an independent survey conducted in 2022 showed that the organisation supplies about 41 percent of Nigeria's contraceptive market, making it one of the leading providers of family planning products in the country. Chima said affordability remains central to the organisation's strategy, noting that the company continues to ensure its products remain accessible while supporting healthcare providers through training and service delivery initiatives.
Lagos State Family Planning Coordinator's Perspective
Latifatu Adeleye, Lagos State Family Planning Coordinator at the Ministry of Health, commended DKT for supporting the state's family planning programmes through capacity building, demand generation, and reproductive health interventions. She stressed that collaboration among government agencies, private sector organisations, development partners, and healthcare providers remains critical to achieving family planning targets in Lagos State. Adeleye said increased uptake of IUDs could significantly improve the state's couple-years of protection indicators and contribute to higher modern contraceptive prevalence rates. She acknowledged that utilisation of IUDs remains relatively low among women and attributed the challenge partly to the need for continuous training of healthcare workers, especially newer providers entering the health system. However, she expressed optimism that renewed investment in provider training and awareness creation would increase acceptance and utilisation of long-term contraceptive methods among women.
