Pro-reproductive health Non-Governmental Organisation, The Challenge Initiative, TCI, has urged religious leaders to preach and counsel their followers on marriage and child birth spacing.
The State Coordinator of ITC, Dr. Philemon Yohana-Manza made the urge on Friday during a 2-day Child Birth Spacing, CBS, training for interfaith persons held at the Plateau State Primary Health Care Commission.
He said: “Religious leaders should preach and counsel followers on marriage and child birth spacing for the good health of both the mother and her child.”
Mr Yohana-Monza noted that for mother and child to be healthy, it is imperative to have a child spacing.
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According to him, child-spacing method allows the mother to rest for some years before conceiving another pregnancy, and for the born child to have good nourishment.
The TCI state coordinator lamented that there was increase in the rate of female sterilization in Plateau State due to poor child-birth spacing.
He said the best way to achieve good awareness is to embark on intensive advocacy.
Mr Yohana-Manza added that the advocacy most go beyond “health policymakers and also engage religious leaders, the private sector and public.”
“More political and religious leaders are beginning to appreciate the benefits of Child Birth Spacing, not only for the health and wellbeing of the women and children but also for the development of their countries,” he said.
Mr Yohana-Manza said based on a research outcome, the rate of sterilisation in the state stands at 1.4 percent.
