The Lagos State Government, in partnership with the Saving One Million Lives Programme for Results, has taken a significant step in enhancing reproductive health services by localizing the National Reproductive Health Policy.
A recent statement highlighted a five-day workshop held from February 10 to 14, 2025, at Dover Hotel, where stakeholders from various health sectors came together to customize and align the policy framework with the specific healthcare challenges of the state.
Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho, the Programme Manager of SOMLPforR, expressed that adapting the policy would greatly improve reproductive healthcare, especially in areas such as family planning, safe motherhood, and adolescent reproductive health services.
She noted that the structured framework of the policy would enhance service delivery at all healthcare levels in Lagos State.
Dr. Erinosho also stressed the significance of incorporating traditional birth attendants into the policy framework, emphasizing the need for their proper training and regulation to reduce complications and save lives.
Dr. Kelvin Oduba, the Safe Motherhood Programme Manager at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, explained that the domestication of the policy involves not just adopting national guidelines but tailoring them to suit the unique healthcare environment of Lagos.
He highlighted key areas of focus, including reducing maternal mortality, enhancing perinatal death surveillance, and strengthening family planning services, emphasizing that reproductive health in Lagos extends beyond maternal care to address gender-based violence, improve perinatal care, and ensure access to contraceptive options.