The Federal Government has taken a significant step in improving access to family planning services by developing and disseminating a national self-care guideline in 25 states and establishing a National Self-Care Coordination Committee. This initiative aims to empower women of sexual and reproductive age to adopt self-care methods like DMPA-SC self-inject, leading to a substantial increase in usage.
Implemented in collaboration with various organizations and funded by the Children Investment Fund Foundation, the DISC project introduced a new self-injectable contraceptive method to reduce barriers to access and enhance women’s autonomy. This innovation aligns with the World Health Organization’s goals of preventing unintended pregnancies and breaking the cycle of high fertility rates and poverty.
Government officials express their commitment to sustaining these interventions, highlighting the positive impacts and results achieved. Through partnerships with stakeholders and ongoing policy adjustments, the project aims to scale up the delivery of quality family planning services nationwide to address maternal and infant mortality rates effectively.
By providing women with choices and control over their reproductive health, the DISC project in Nigeria exemplifies a crucial step towards empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their well-being.