Stakeholders condemn Health Minister's plans to push for contraceptives

Some civil society organisations (CSOs) on Thursday condemned the proposal by the Minister of Health, Prof.Isaac Adewole, to push for the use of contraceptives among women and girls.

They said at a news conference in Lagos that it was deceptive and harmful to moral values as it would further encourage abortion.

They urged Nigerians to reject this offer of anti-life incentives under the guise of foreign aid in order not to destroy our beautiful culture.

The CSO comprises: the Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria, Islamic Education Trust, Doctors Initiative Project for Human Development among others.

It would be recalled that some Catholic bishops recently condemned the plan also which they described as anti-people.

Mr Jerry Okwuosa , the Director-General, Project for Human Development (PHD), said women should learn and practice natural family planning method in order to exercise responsible parenthood in their families.

"Contraceptives kill 5.2 times more babies than abortion does and it must be rejected out rightly.

"The people need better power supply, potable water, good roads, better health insurance scheme , functional hospitals and primary healthcare centres (PHC’s) to the grassroots, employment for our young ones and educational institutions more than these contraceptives.

"Our opposition on contraceptives is not faith-based but purely scientific; and we should bear in mind that what is injurious to a human being is so for everyone regardless of the faith and morals of the individuals,’’ he said.

Also speaking at the conference, Mr Sonnie Ekwowusi, a legal practitioner, said what the Minister of Health needed was to tackle the challenges affecting primary healthcare centre not ``right’’ to commit abortion.

"The minister should look into the exorbitant ante-natal and post-natal bills being charged in hospitals forcing many pregnant women to continue patronising traditional birth attendants and in the process lost their lives.

"President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is bent on diversifying the Nigeria economy through people oriented agriculture. Agriculture thrives on population, thus population is not a threat to Nigeria.

"Instead of seeing population as a threat, population should be seen as a catalyst for economic growth.

"The vibrant young people that constitute the bulk of Nigerian population are indeed the work force that should be used to fast-track Buhari’s agricultural revolution,’’ he said.